Congressional Black Caucus members slam “Big, Ugly Bill” 

By Victoria Mejicanos and Elijah Qualls 
AFRO Interns

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” passed in the U.S. House of Representatives with 218 members voting yes and 214 voting no on July 3. The bill was already voted on and passed through the Senate in a 50-51 vote with vice president JD Vance as the tie breaker on July 1. 

As the controversial bill made its way to the House of Representatives, members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) hosted a press conference on July 2 to condemn what they call the “Big, Ugly Bill.” As members of the CBC stood in front of the U.S. Capitol building, they criticized the bill which includes cuts to nutrition programming, education and healthcare.

“Republicans have made it clear they do not care about Black people or Black lives. Republicans are stealing our healthcare,” said Democratic Steering and Policy Committee Co-Chair Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), during the press conference. “They are losing our hospitals and health clinics. They are exacerbating gun violence and maternal mortality.

“Simply put, this bill is deadly,” said Kelly ahead of the final deliberations, making it clear that her vote would be a “hell no.” 

Ultimately, their protest and call for change fell on deaf ears. 

Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05) who was a history teacher for 15 years before her responsibilities in Congress shared her perspective on the bill as a member of the House committee on Education and Workforce. 

With the bill containing the largest cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in American history, Hayes warned against the effects that losing these benefits will have on children across the nation. According to Pew Research, 27 percent of Black families rely on SNAP. 

“For those families who are already disproportionately affected by food insecurity, these cuts will further deepen those hardships.” Hayes said. 

Hayes explained that loss of SNAP at home leads to the loss of free and reduced lunch in schools at the same time.

“We do not need to make this choice,” said Hayes.  “We can afford to feed children in the United States of America. And even more, we can afford to educate children in the United States of America.” 

Along with SNAP benefits affecting students, the bill will reduce Pell Grant eligibility, making higher education less accessible to low income communities. 

Speaking on Black youth, Hayes said,  “They want to pursue degrees and go back and help their communities. The changes in this bill would limit access to higher education and professional carers like nurses, engineers, doctors, dentists, and even teachers, perpetuating cycles of economic disadvantage in our most vulnerable communities.”

Though members of the CBC say the approved bill will have devastating impacts on Black communities nationwide, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA-04) praised the House members who voted in favor of the bill. 

“The House has passed generational legislation that permanently lowers taxes for families and job creators, secures the border … and makes government more efficient and effective for all Americans.” 

“It should never be forgotten that every single House Democrat voted against all of it,” Johnson added. “Proving once again that they support tax hikes on their constituents, open borders, runaway government spending, and medicaid for able-bodied adults who can work but choose not to.” 

Still, CBC members say the bill will make life even more difficult for many of the country’s most vulnerable citizens, regardless of ethnicity. 

Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37)  said she fought against the bill because of the importance of Medicaid and SNAP — not just to people of color, but the entire country.

“This administration wants to separate us by race so they can divide us by class,” said Kamlager-Dove.

As the passed bill makes its way to the 47th president’s desk for final approval and signature, Congressional Black Caucus Political Action Committee Chairman Representative Gregory Meeks (D-NY-05) shared his thoughts on the passage of the “Big, Ugly Bill” in the U.S. House. 

“Shame on House Republicans for cowering to Donald Trump by voting to rip 17 million Americans off their health insurance, claw food from the mouths of hungry children, and wreck our rural and safety net hospital system all while giving the ultra-wealthy tax breaks,” said Meeks. “Every day between now and Election Day we will fight to ensure Black Americans are clear Republicans put the wealthy over protecting our communities.” 

The post Congressional Black Caucus members slam “Big, Ugly Bill”  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.