WASHINGTON — Washington lawmakers reacted Thursday after House Republicans voted to approve President Donald Trump’s sweeping domestic policy bill, sending it to his desk for a signature.
The legislation, formally known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed the Senate earlier this week following a marathon session. The package includes tax cuts and increased funding for the Pentagon and border security, along with controversial spending cuts — including what some are calling the largest downsizing of the federal safety net in decades.
On Thursday, Rep. Michael Baumgartner (WA-05) voted in favor of the bill and released the following statement:
“Hardworking Americans deserve a government that rewards work, drives growth, and knows when to get out of the way. The One Big Beautiful Bill does just that—keeping more money where it belongs: in the pockets of working families.
It locks in the Trump tax cuts, supports small businesses, secures our southern border, and invests in rural health care and energy independence. I’m especially proud it includes $50 million for rural health care — a longtime priority of mine since sponsoring the legislation to establish the WSU Medical School during my time in the State Senate. Strengthening care in our communities has always been personal to me.
And by finally reining in the wasteful spending Washington has ignored for too long, the bill reflects a serious commitment to responsible, results-driven government.
I’ve said it before: this bill isn’t a silver bullet. But it’s a bold, serious step toward getting our economy back on track and restoring real accountability in Washington, D.C. It’s a win for every American who wants safer streets, stronger communities, and a government that finally puts them first.”
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), sharply criticized the legislation, calling it “the largest transfer of wealth from people who have the least to the people who have the most in our nation’s history.”
“This bill is un-American and flat-out wrong,” Murray said. “It’s impossible to overstate how devastating the Republican legislation will be for the millions of struggling families who will pay for these billionaire tax breaks with deep cuts to their health care and nutrition benefits, while getting essentially nothing in return.
Seventeen million Americans will lose their health insurance under this bill, including more than 328,000 people in Washington state who rely on Apple Health and Affordable Care Act coverage. Forty million Americans will see their grocery costs go up as the SNAP benefits they rely on to feed their families disappear.
By defunding Planned Parenthood, this bill is a step toward Republicans’ dystopian plan for a backdoor nationwide abortion ban — where women can’t get the health care they need, no matter what state they live in.
The bill also makes detrimental and shortsighted cuts to clean energy tax credits, raising families’ energy bills and eliminating millions of manufacturing jobs across the country. Countless farmers in Eastern and Central Washington are relying on these tax credits to help power their farms, and these cuts will raise their energy costs and hurt their ability to grow and reinvest in their communities.
Republicans ignored every warning about how terrible this bill is and forced it through — over the objections of Democrats and even members of their own party — simply because Trump said so. The American people will make their voices heard at the ballot box.”
Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho, 2nd District) praised the bill, calling it a “historic” victory for working families and rural communities.
“The One Big Beautiful Bill is the America First policy agenda that Idahoans and Americans nationwide voted for in November,” Simpson said.
“Republicans came together and passed historic tax relief for working-class Americans, including much-deserved relief for Idaho farmers and small businesses. We are also delivering historic investments in border security and restoring domestic energy dominance.
I am especially pleased that the out-of-touch provision to sell off public lands was withdrawn before the bill returned to the House. Land selloffs are not part of the Trump agenda, and I was proud to fight for that in the House. As we take time this week to celebrate our great country, Americans nationwide can take comfort in knowing the One Big Beautiful Bill will create a safer and stronger America.”
