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Here’s what’s in Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ | National

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www.thecentersquare.com – Thérèse Boudreaux – (The Center Square – ) 2025-05-25 08:11:00


The Republican-led budget reconciliation bill, passed narrowly by the House, extends Trump’s 2017 tax cuts and includes major reforms to Medicaid, food stamps, student loans, and border security, costing \$3.3 trillion to \$5.2 trillion over 10 years. It permanently codifies tax cuts like the child tax credit and QBI deduction, while increasing taxes on universities and foundations. Medicaid changes tighten eligibility and impose work requirements, reducing enrollment by millions but still growing overall spending. The bill reforms SNAP benefits, boosts border security funding, imposes immigrant fees, and scales back clean energy subsidies. Senate changes are expected before final approval.

(The Center Square) – Republicans’ mammoth budget reconciliation bill includes major changes to Medicaid, food stamps, student loans and more. It also permanently extends President Donald Trump’s 2017 tax cuts – at a cost of at least $3.3 trillion.

Passing the House Thursday by a razor-thin margin, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act funds large swaths of Trump’s policy agenda while authorizing a $4 trillion debt ceiling hike. The legislation consists of 11 separate House committee prints that collectively fulfill the budget resolution’s 10-year spending and savings instructions

The bill includes more than $1.5 trillion in savings found by congressional committees. But budget watchdogs say the package, if passed by the Senate without major alterations, will still add anywhere from $3.3 to $5.2 trillion to the national debt and at least $3.2 trillion to the primary deficit by 2035. 

Most of the cost stems from the Ways and Means committee’s portion, which deals with codifying most of the sunsetting 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act into law. 

That includes the higher standard deduction for nearly all tax filers, the $2,000 child tax credit – both parents will need a Social Security number to claim it – and the 20% Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction.

American manufacturers would particularly benefit from the legislation, which would allow them to deduct 100% of facility improvement or construction costs. The bill would deal a blow to large universities by increasing endowment taxes, as well as hiking taxes on many private foundations.

Republicans clashed over how high to raise the state and local tax, or SALT, deduction cap, eventually settling on $40,000 for taxpayers earning less than $500,000 annually, via a last-minute Rules Committee amendment.

The tax portion of the reconciliation bill also features many short-term tax provisions set to expire after four years. Those include boosting the maximum standard deduction from $15,000 to $16,000 for single filers and from $30,000 to $32,000 for joint filers. The maximum child tax credit will see a $500 increase and the QBI deduction will rise to 23%. 

Other temporary changes lasting until fiscal year 2028 include nixing taxes on tips and overtime, making the adoption tax credit partially refundable, ending interest on loans for American cars, and increasing tax deductions for eligible seniors by $4,000.

While lawmakers on the Ways and Means committee contributed most to the cost of the reconciliation package, the Energy and Commerce committee found the most savings – over $988 billion – primarily via scaling back the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and Medicaid spending.

Energy and Commerce’s addition claws back unobligated funds from the IRA and repeals or phases out more than a dozen IRA renewable energy-related subsidies.

Four tax credits related to alternative fuel vehicles, three credits related to home energy efficiency or “clean” energy sourcing, and the clean hydrogen production credit will end by 2026. After facing pressure from fiscal hawks, the Rules Committee pushed forward the 2032 phaseout deadline for the IRA’s clean electricity production and investment credits to 2028.

Medicaid reforms in the bill include changing program eligibility requirements back to pre-COVID-19 standards, imposing work requirements on most able-bodied adults without dependents, and closing loopholes exploited by states. 

The plan also axes federal funding to Planned Parenthood and other reproductive clinics, as well as prevents Medicaid and CHIP funding from going to gender transition procedures on children.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the changes will save hundreds of billions of dollars and make at least 7.7 million current Medicaid recipients – including 1.4 million people without verified citizenship status – ineligible for Medicaid coverage by 2034. But given the Biden-era 20% spending increase on Medicaid, total program spending will still grow by at least 3% a year for the next decade.

Another last-minute addition by the Rules committee doubled down on Medicaid reforms, accelerating the work requirement deadline to take effect in 2026 and preventing states from implementing new taxes on providers.

House Democrats, none of whom voted for the bill, repeatedly called the Medicaid changes “cruel.” They similarly blasted the Agriculture Committee’s section of the bill, which saves $230 billion by reforming the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

SNAP reforms include requiring states to cover 5% of their SNAP benefit cost share by fiscal year 2028, with their contribution increasing the higher the state’s payment error rate. States have an average payment error rate of 11.68%, as of 2023. 

The bill also closes state “waiver gimmicks” that have exempted 84% of able-bodied adult beneficiaries without dependents from SNAP work requirements, plus bans all noncitizens aside from legal permanent residents from receiving benefits.

Trump’s border security and defense priorities received hundreds of billions of additional dollars collectively from the Homeland Security, Judiciary, and Armed Services committees’ portions of the megabill.

The Homeland Security committee authorized approximately $47 billion for the construction of the “Border Barrier System,” a technologically enhanced southern border wall. Roughly $5 billion will go toward building new U.S. Customs and Border Patrol facilities and checkpoints and $6 billion toward border agent workforce and hiring.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement receives a $45 billion funding boost meant for building new detention centers from the Judiciary Committee’s print. 

Notably, the bill also imposes new fees on immigrants, implementing a $1,000 minimum fee on migrants seeking asylum and a $500 fee on individuals requesting Temporary Protected Status, which is currently free. Sponsors of unaccompanied migrant children will face a $3,500 charge, while many work permit applications will carry a $550 fee that renews every six months.

The Armed Services committee portion contributes $5 billion to border security efforts, but most of the $150 billion in spending is slated for shipbuilding, restocking munitions, increasing weapon production capacity and nuclear deterrence, and financing the Golden Dome for America project

While the Transportation and Infrastructure committee gives $22 billion to the Coast Guard and $15 billion to the Federal Aviation Administration for infrastructure modernization, it imposes new fees on electric vehicle owners. 

Under the bill, EV owners will have to pay $250 annually as a contribution to the dwindling Highway Trust Fund. Owners of combustion engine vehicles contribute to the HTF every time they fill up their gas tank.

The Natural Resources committee checks the box for Trump’s energy agenda by expanding onshore oil and gas leasing on federal lands, reducing drilling royalty rates to 12.5%, and permanently reinstating coal leasing suspended by Biden.

A final blow to the Biden administration in Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” comes from the Education and Workforce committee’s addition. It axes the 2023 SAVE loan repayment program, which amounted to potentially billions in complete loan forgiveness for thousands of student borrowers. 

The legislation also simplifies and shrinks student loan repayment options and penalizes higher education institutions that allow students to take out unaffordable levels of debt. Additionally, it restricts Pell Grant eligibility to students taking more than six credit hours and low-income students in short-term programs.

Under normal Senate filibuster rules, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would have no chance of passing. But since the budget reconciliation process bypasses the filibuster, Republican leaders are hopeful the package will make it to the president’s desk. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is aiming for that to happen by Independence Day.

Senate Republicans are eyeing potentially derailing changes, however, with some senators opposing the IRA and Medicaid cuts – key compromises Johnson made with House hardliners – with others wanting even more spending reductions.

“I think you can improve the product,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said in an interview about the bill with Punchbowl News. “There are certain things the Senate wants to have its imprint on.”

House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, cautioned against drastic bill reforms.

“I’m urging my Senate colleagues to take up our balanced reconciliation package – and only consider changes that further strengthens our fiscal reforms – so we can quickly advance this One Big Beautiful Bill to the President’s desk and deliver for the American people,” he said.

The post Here’s what’s in Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ | National appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Right-Leaning

This article reports extensively on a large Republican-led budget reconciliation bill, highlighting its provisions largely in favorable or neutral terms, such as extensions of Trump-era tax cuts, support for manufacturers, border security funding, and reductions to Medicaid and other social programs. The tone emphasizes fiscal conservatism, deficit reduction, and law-and-order themes consistent with Republican priorities. While it includes some critique from Democrats, it largely presents the legislation from the perspective of Republican sponsors and supporters, with limited critical framing. The article’s language, focus, and selection of details reflect a right-leaning editorial stance, supporting Republican policy goals without overt critique.

The Center Square

Siegel: Brutal time in captivity; Trump can get hostages home | North Carolina

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www.thecentersquare.com – Alan Wooten – (The Center Square – ) 2025-07-09 09:02:00


Chapel Hill native Keith Siegel, released from Hamas captivity after 484 days, detailed his torture and urged leaders like President Trump and Israeli PM Netanyahu to secure the return of remaining hostages and end the Israel-Hamas conflict. Since the conflict’s start on October 7, 2023, about 1,200 Israelis were killed, with ongoing hostilities causing massive civilian casualties. Of 50 hostages, around 28 are believed dead; negotiations continue. Trump’s influence helped Siegel’s release, and US-Senator Ted Budd demands release of two American hostages or consequences for Hamas. Meanwhile, North Carolina Democrats formally oppose US military aid to Israel amid accusations of apartheid and genocide.

(The Center Square) – Five months after his release from Hamas, Chapel Hill native Keith Siegel has shared details of his time in captivity and said President Donald Trump is powerful enough to get other hostages home.

The Middle East war between Hamas and Israel started Oct. 7, 2023, when the militant organization killed about 1,200 in Israel and took 251 hostage. Published reports say 57,000 have lost their lives since, the latest five Israeli Defense Forces soldiers on Monday in an explosion in northern Gaza.

The majority of fatalities, however, have been civilians caught in the crossfire. 

Twenty-eight of 50 hostages still held by Hamas are believed dead, Israeli Defense Forces says. Isreal believes 20, and possibly the remaining 22, are still alive. Negotiations are ongoing involving length of time for a ceasefire, and number of hostages both living and dead to be returned.

Trump has sought to broker deals for peace since before his inauguration, in part leading to Siegel’s release on Feb. 1 after 484 days. His wife, Aviva, was released after 51 days.

“I believe he has a lot of strength, power and ability to put pressure on those that need to be pressured, on both sides in order to get the agreement, get the deal signed, and get all of the hostages back and bring an end to the war,” Siegel told the BBC on the cusp of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visiting the White House this week.

On Tuesday, Siegel – he has dual citizenship in Israel and America – testified before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, a panel in Israel’s parliament. He described torture tactics against others and himself by Hamas, abuse and violence. It happened to men and women hostages, he said.

Siegel told the committee those alive and dead “could disappear” if not returned soon.

“I call on Netanyahu and Trump to do everything they can and bring everyone home,” he said.

U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., said Monday two American hostages must be released or Hamas should “face swift consequences.”

The United States has long been an ally of Israel in the Middle East, including being the first to recognize it as an independent state in 1948 under President Harry Truman. Back in Siegel’s native homeland last month, the North Carolina Democratic Party’s executive committee formally resolved ending American support of Israel to include all military aid, weapons shipments and military logistical support.

It boldly stated Israel is guilty of apartheid against Palestinians; genocide in Gaza; and using American weapons in “self defense” against hospitals, schools, homes, refugee camps, mosques, churches, journalists and humanitarian aid workers.

First-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, since the resolution was announced, has not publicly issued a press release or made a social media statement about his party’s position. Nor have any of the Democrats in the U.S. House – Reps. Don Davis, Deborah Ross, Valerie Foushee and Alma Adams.

The other four members of the Council of State representing the North Carolina Democratic Party have also been similarly silent – Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, Attorney General Jeff Jackson, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, and Education Superintendent Mo Green.

The post Siegel: Brutal time in captivity; Trump can get hostages home | North Carolina appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Center-Right

The article reports on the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, focusing on the personal story of Keith Siegel, a former hostage, and featuring supportive comments about former President Donald Trump’s role in brokering peace deals. The coverage of Trump is framed positively, highlighting his strength and ability to negotiate, which suggests a Center-Right leaning, as this tone aligns more closely with conservative or Republican perspectives. Additionally, the article contrasts this with criticism of the North Carolina Democratic Party’s resolution against American support for Israel, characterizing their stance as extreme and noting the absence of public responses from Democratic officials, which may implicitly criticize that position. Overall, the article presents facts about the conflict and political actions but subtly endorses a pro-Israel and pro-Trump viewpoint, thereby suggesting a Center-Right bias rather than strictly neutral reporting.

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News from the South - North Carolina News Feed

Briner: State pension plan makes $8B, outperforms stock market | North Carolina

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www.thecentersquare.com – By David Beasley | The Center Square contributor – (The Center Square – ) 2025-07-09 08:07:00


North Carolina’s $127 billion state pension plan generated $8 billion in investment profits in the first half of the fiscal year, surpassing expectations by $2.5 billion, according to State Treasurer Brad Briner. Despite this success, the plan has historically underperformed and faces a $16 billion annual deficit due to growing pension obligations and fewer contributors. The state’s contribution has increased from zero to 17% of employee salaries over 25 years, prompting calls to curb further increases. Recent legislation established a five-member North Carolina Investment Authority to modernize pension fund management, replacing the previous sole-investor model overseen by the treasurer.

(The Center Square) – In the first six months of this fiscal year, the North Carolina state pension plan investments made $8 billion and outperformed the stock market, the state’s treasurer said Tuesday.

“That number is we think the largest profit in the six-month history of our state pension system,” first-term Republican Brad Briner said at a meeting of state leaders. “But moreover, it is $2.5 billion more than we expected.”



Brad Briner, state treasurer of North Carolina




North Carolina’s $127 billion pension plan has “underperformed for years,” according to Briner.

The plan has been running a $16 billion annual deficit based on the gains it needed to sustain pension payments without raising state contributions to the plan, Briner said.

Gains in the pension plan investments can reduce the need to increase the state contribution which has grown from zero 25 years ago to the current 17% of employee salary, Briner said.

“We can’t keep letting it go up.” Briner said told other state leaders Tuesday.

The North Carolina Retirement System serves more than 1 million people, from teachers to state employees, local governments, firefighters, police officers and other public workers. It operates at a deficit similar to Social Security, with fewer people paying in than are eligible for benefits.

Estimated market value was $89 billion when former Treasurer Dale Folwell took office in January 2017 and $127 billion on Dec. 27, 2024, in his final days of office.

This fall, the treasurer’s office will conduct studies to determine how to possibly reduce the employer match.

“All of that is getting to what we can do on the employer match side to relieve some of the pressure on our agencies and on the state budget,” the treasurer said.

Also, the Legislature this year passed and the governor signed the Investment Modernization Act which according to Briner “fundamentally” changes the way the state manages pension fund investments.

It creates a five-member North Carolina Investment Authority, chaired by the treasurer, which includes financial professionals appointed by the governor, treasure and leaders of the legislature.

The state has been one of only three in the country to give one person – the treasurer- sole power for administering pension plan investments, Briner said.

The post Briner: State pension plan makes $8B, outperforms stock market | North Carolina appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Center-Right

This article largely reports factual information about North Carolina’s state pension plan performance and related administrative changes, quoting Republican state treasurer Brad Briner extensively. While it focuses on the treasurer’s perspective—who emphasizes financial discipline and reform—there is no overt editorializing or partisan framing beyond the presentation of his statements. The positive framing of investment gains and calls to reduce state contributions align with fiscally conservative principles, suggesting a moderate right-leaning viewpoint. However, the reporting remains largely neutral and informative, primarily conveying the actions and positions of officials rather than endorsing a specific ideological stance.

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News from the South - Texas News Feed

Personnel from 20 Texas agencies involved in recovery efforts | Texas

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor – (The Center Square – ) 2025-07-08 17:34:00


Thousands of personnel and volunteers from across Texas are aiding recovery and debris removal in Kerr County after the Guadalupe River surged 26 feet in 45 minutes on July 4, causing massive flooding. Over 1,500 personnel and 925 vehicles from 20 state agencies responded quickly, rescuing more than 850 people, many by airlift. Texas Game Wardens and the Department of Public Safety are heavily involved in search, rescue, and recovery operations, with hundreds of missing persons reported. Texas A\&M System teams assist with flood rescues, infrastructure, and animal care. Governor Abbott vowed to continue efforts until all bodies are recovered and communities are restored.

(The Center Square) – Thousands of personnel and volunteers from across Texas have come to assist with recovery efforts and debris removal in Kerr County and surrounding areas in response to the historic July 4 flood.

After a torrential downpour caused the Guadeloupe River to rise 26 feet in 45 minutes early Friday morning, a tidal wave of destruction crashed through Kerr and surrounding counties.

Before that happened, the state was monitoring weather patterns and Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Division of Emergency Management moved assets into Central Texas on Wednesday. Additional resources were surged on Thursday; weather warnings were issued both days.

By Friday, more than 1,500 personnel and more than 925 vehicles and equipment assets across 20 state agencies were in emergency response mode.

TDEM deployed an incident management team to support deployed emergency response resources, including multiple task forces, and continues to oversee recovery efforts.

More than 850 people were rescued in the initial hours of operations, the majority by the Texas Military Department. Texas National Guard rescued 525 people, 366 by air evacuations conducted by UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilots and crew, and 159 by ground. Another 20 were rescued in San Sabo County and five in Burnet County, Texas Military Department Adjutant General Major General Thomas Suelzer said Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Ben Baker with Texas Game Wardens said 300 game wardens have been involved in recovery efforts. They’ve searched 26 river miles, made 440 rescues and recovered 30 dead bodies.

Texas Department of Public Safety’s Special Operations Group “continues to work alongside local and state partners with ongoing rescue and recovery efforts in the Texas Hill Country, including searching through debris and storm damaged areas. Our teams will be in Kerr County to assist as long as we are needed,” Texas DPS said.

Texas DPS Colonel Director Freeman Martin said 258 DPS troopers were assigned in Kerrville alone, including highway patrol, a tactical marine unit, criminal investigators, Texas Rangers, SWAT, victim’s services, among others.

After members of the public were given a number to call to report missing people, hundreds of calls came in, he said at a news conference on Tuesday. Through painstaking work, DPS troopers working with others in law enforcement, cross checked names with trailer parks, RV camps, hotels and other rental properties, with the calls that came in and arrived at a total of 161 missing in Kerr County alone, he said.

“A lot of work is being done,” Martin said. Most of what they were able to do is because DPS was fulling funded by the Texas legislature, he said. Funding enabled DPS to acquire six replacement helicopters, which are being used for recovery efforts, he said.

“We have a lot of resources,” he said, in addition to the assistance they are receiving from the FBI, DEA, Border Patrol, Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security and others. “Everyone is working together, unified,” he said.

Search and rescue efforts are ongoing in Burnet, Kendall and Travis counties, he said. All three missing in Williamson County were recovered, deceased. Ten are confirmed missing in Travis County.

Multiple teams from several Texas A&M System agencies are also actively involved in recovery efforts as part of the 20-state agency effort.

“As we struggle to grasp the magnitude of the loss felt by so many of our fellow Texans – and even as we all offer up our prayers for the victims and their families and the parents, friends and loved ones of those still missing – the brave men and women from across the Texas A&M University System were risking their lives to save others caught in dangerous flooding across Central Texas and the Hill Country,” the Texas A&M University System said.

They include Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service task forces using swiftwater rescue boats to assist with flood rescues and evacuations and a Public Works Response Team assessing and assisting with public works infrastructure needs in Kerrville.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agents are supporting agricultural and livestock needs; a Veterinary Emergency Team is providing veterinary medical support for animals impacted by flooding.

More than 75 Texas A&M Forest Service personnel and 153 Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System members are on the ground. Saw teams are clearing debris and restoring access in impacted areas; overhead personnel are working alongside local officials on damage assessments and incident coordination.

Abbott said on Tuesday, “Texas will not stop until we finish the job. We will not stop until we identify, recover every single body. Will not stop until every road is rebuilt, every inch of debris is removed.

“We will not stop because we are a state that cares about our people, cares about our communities, and we’ll be with them every step of the way.”

The post Personnel from 20 Texas agencies involved in recovery efforts | Texas appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The article presents a factual and straightforward report on the emergency response efforts following a major flood in Texas. It focuses on detailing the actions taken by state agencies, personnel, and volunteers, including statements from officials such as Gov. Greg Abbott, without using charged or persuasive language that favors a particular ideological viewpoint. The content neither critiques nor praises political policies or actors in a way that suggests advocacy; instead, it objectively covers the mobilization and collaboration of various agencies and the challenges faced. Thus, the article adheres to neutral reporting by describing the events and responses without inserting an identifiable ideological stance.

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