Big Beatifull bill

In this gripping episode of The Policy Pulse, host Sarah Mitchell and guest expert Catie Edmondson, a congressional correspondent for The New York Times, dissect the recently passed "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025. The episode explores the sweeping domestic policy legislation, hailed by Trump as a cornerstone of his second term, which promises transformative tax cuts, enhanced border security, and military funding but comes at the cost of significant reductions to Medicaid, SNAP, and clean energy programs.

The discussion kicks off with an overview of the bill’s key components: permanent extensions of the 2017 tax cuts, no taxes on tips and overtime, and a $3.3 trillion addition to the national deficit over the next decade, as estimated by the Congressional Budget Office. Edmondson provides insider insights into the heated congressional debates, highlighting the narrow 218-214 House vote and Vice President JD Vance’s tie-breaking Senate vote. The podcast delves into the Republican Party’s internal rifts, with perspectives from figures like Rep. Thomas Massie, who opposed the bill, and Sen. Josh Hawley, who criticized its impact on working-class constituents.

Mitchell and Edmondson also address the bill’s broader implications, including its potential to leave 11.8 million Americans uninsured by 2034 and the controversial cuts to social safety nets. The episode balances policy analysis with real-world impacts, featuring listener call-ins from small business owners praising the tax breaks and low-income families concerned about losing healthcare access. The hosts wrap up with a forward-looking discussion on how the bill might shape the 2026 midterms and Trump’s legacy.