President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” is out of the House, but whether it can get through the Senate intact is problematical.
Rep. John Rutherford, r-Jacksonville, who voted for the bill, says it should be enacted – as soon as possible.
“I think this is a truly historic bill. What it is going to do for the working-class is incredible,” Rutherford told Eye on Jacksonville.
In keeping with recent congressional practice, BBB is a reconciliation bill, not an appropriations bill. Reconciliation follows a fast-track process that avoids a Senate filibuster, meaning it can pass with a simple majority. It’s limited to budget-related provisions—no new policies.
At the center of the legislation are the provisions extending Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. With the historic comeback by Trump, the tax relief that would have expired at year’s end instead would become permanent.
In addition, the legislation includes several changes Trump touted on the campaign trail, such as no taxes on tips for workers in the service industry. But it’s a temporary exemption that expires at the end of 2028. The package also includes no taxes on overtime through 2028. And the new legislation would allow tax deductions on up to $10,000 in interest on auto loans for cars assembled in the U.S. This provision would be in place until 2029.
Rutherford said the changes especially those affecting small business, “are going to cause the economy to take off.”
He also said that if the Senate approves the measure by July 4, it will allow the provisions in the bill to have time to work before the midterm elections and greatly enhance the chances of Republicans holding a majority in Congress.
Rutherford said Democrats are wrong about the bill causing a $1.2 trillion deficit. They failed to account for growth the bill will produce, he said.
“They say GDP will grow 1.8 percent; I believe it will be 2.5 percent or more.”
The Tax Foundation praised some aspects of the bill but said it makes the already murky tax code even more convoluted.
But Rutherford said most people use the standard deduction, which is being increased to $32,000 for a couple.
The wide-ranging bill also has incentives for states to get illegal immigrants off the Medicaid rolls.
