House Democratic leaders plan to use the August recess to launch a nationwide campaign against the Republican-led budget law signed by President Donald Trump earlier this month—an effort they say will define the lead-up to the 2026 midterms.
“The one big, ugly bill is deeply unpopular,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said during a press conference July 22, using the Democrats’ name for the bill, officially titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act by its GOP sponsors. “Donald Trump is deeply unpopular. And House Republicans haven’t done a damn thing to make life more affordable for the American people.”
Public opinion has been mixed. In a poll released on July 15 by CNN/SSRS, 61 percent of respondents said they oppose the legislation. Regarding its economic impact, 51 percent said it would hurt the economy, while 29 percent said it would help.
Jeffries, joined by Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.), said Democrats will hold town halls and public events throughout the recess to highlight what they describe as the harmful effects of the spending package. Democrats have already made clear they will make the bill a centerpiece of their midterm strategy, warning it could lead to layoffs, benefit cuts, and rising costs for working families.
The legislation passed the House and Senate this month and was signed by Trump. Republicans say it streamlines government and boosts growth. The sweeping measure includes deep cuts to Medicaid, restructuring of safety net programs, and tax reductions that GOP leaders say will stimulate economic growth.
But Democrats say it will do the opposite.
“Hospitals will close. Nursing homes will shut down. Community-based health clinics will be unable to operate,” Jeffries added in the press conference.
Clark, speaking after Jeffries, accused Republicans of prioritizing the wealthy while undermining families.
“Their signature bill, the big, ugly bill, kicked 15 million Americans off their health insurance, takes food from 16 million kids, raises energy bills, shuts down hospitals, denies veterans their benefits,” she said. “They run up the debt to give tax breaks to billionaires.”
According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the bill’s Medicaid provisions are expected to increase the number of uninsured Americans by 7.7 million, something Republicans have disputed.
The changes include new requirements for all enrollees to verify income and citizenship every six months starting in 2027. The bill also imposes a work or community engagement requirement of 20 hours per week for certain adults, effective no sooner than January 2027. States will also be allowed to impose cost-sharing of up to $35 per visit on some Medicaid expansion enrollees starting in 2028.
