Louisiana lawmakers are reacting to the House passing President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.”
Trump’s proposed bill has raised concerns in Louisiana about potential Medicaid cuts and the closure of rural hospitals, with state leaders divided on its impact.
Critics of the bill highlight that over one million people in Louisiana rely on Medicaid, and cuts could affect health care for families and lead to rural hospital closures. Some local lawmakers suggest a nationwide fund could provide financial support to struggling rural hospitals.
The bill includes a requirement for able-bodied Medicaid recipients to work, volunteer, or attend school for at least 20 hours a week. If passed, the bill would raise some standard deductions and temporarily ease taxes on tips and overtime. It would allow workers who typically receive cash tips to claim a deduction of up to $25,000, excluding taxpayers with incomes over $150,000. The bill also limits borrowing from the government for education, capping unsubsidized loans at $20,500.
The bill now heads to Trump’s desk.
Majority Leader Steve Scalise issued the following statement regarding the bill:
“The One Big Beautiful Bill delivers a huge win for Louisiana families and small businesses by making good on the promises we made to get our economy back on track, create good jobs, secure our border, produce more American energy, make tax cuts permanent, and lower inflation.
“Also, I was able to include in this bill my language to increase the revenue sharing Louisiana receives from energy exploration and production off our coast, which will result in new funding – to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars — for flood control, hurricane protection, and coastal restoration projects that are vital to Louisiana’s future. This crucial bill also requires annual lease sales in the Gulf of America which will strengthen our national security, lower energy prices, create predictability in our energy and maritime industries and support thousands of good paying jobs in Louisiana.”
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy issued the following statement:
“The House has passed the One Big, Beautiful Bill, containing my Educational Choice for Children Act!My provision helps families who feel trapped in a failing school afford to send their child to a school that’s right for them. It’s about giving parents choice and kids a chance. Now on to the President’s desk!”
Congressman Troy Carter issued the following statement:
“Let me be clear: this bill is not just ugly — it’s catastrophic and down right cruel. Now that Republican majorities in both chambers have passed this legislation, the devastating consequences for Louisianians and Americans across the country will become real in the months ahead.
“H.R. 1 represents the largest cuts to health care and nutrition assistance in American history. It rips away coverage from 17 million Americans, slashes $1 trillion from health care — with $900 billion from Medicaid alone — and drives up out-of-pocket costs for millions more. It strips support from our hospitals and nursing homes, threatening to close 1 in 4 long-term care facilities, and it puts SNAP at risk for 40 million people — including children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.
“On top of that, this bill increases energy costs by $400 per household, cedes hundreds of billions in clean energy investments and jobs to countries like China, and undermines our ability to compete in a global economy.
“And for what? To hand $1.3 trillion in tax breaks to people making over $500,000 — a staggering wealth transfer from working families to billionaires like Elon Musk and Republican megadonors.
“Republicans are calling this a win for the American people. That’s a lie. This is a full-blown assault on veterans, students, workers, the elderly, and every family that relies on a fair shot to get ahead. It’s a betrayal of our values and a dark day for economic justice.
“Families in Louisiana and across the country will feel the real harm of these extreme cuts. I will continue fighting to protect our communities from the fallout of this bill and working to restore the critical programs it dismantles. Our focus now must be on holding those who supported this legislation accountable and standing up for the everyday Americans this “Big Ugly Bill” leaves behind.”
READ MORE:Louisiana lawmakers react to House passing the ‘big, beautiful bill’
