Dems plot to use Trump's "big, beautiful bill" to oust GOP in 2026
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President Trump speaks to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House on July 1. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Democrats are already vowing to make President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" a centerpiece of their strategy for taking back the House of Representatives in 2026.
Why it matters: House Democrats' campaign arm is projecting confidence that Republicans in key swing districts will take a significant political hit from voting for the legislation.
- "These phony moderates all folded once – and their unwillingness to break from their D.C. Party Bosses will be the reason they lose next year," the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said in a memo obtained by Axios.
- "From now until November 2026, the DCCC will continue to communicate the harm this bill will cause," the memo says. "Republicans will lose the majority in 2026 and the Big, Ugly Bill will be the reason why."
State of play: The Senate voted 51-50 to pass the sprawling tax, border and defense package Tuesday, with Vice President JD Vance serving as the tie-breaking vote.
- The vote came after a brutal, multi-day process that concluded with three Senate Republicans — Sens. Rand Paul (Ky.), Thom Tillis (N.C.) and Susan Collins (Maine) — voting with Democrats against the bill.
- The bill extends the 2017 Trump tax cuts and allocates funds for border security and the military while cutting funding for Medicaid, food assistance and clean energy subsidies and tax credits.
- The Congressional Budget Office has estimated the bill would add $3.3 trillion to the deficit over the next decade, but Republicans have argued that analysis fails to take into account the impact of economic growth
What they're saying: The DCCC memo points to a slew of polling over the last month that suggests the GOP legislation is deeply unpopular.
- It also notes that House Republicans already voted in May to pass the bill, but will now have to vote a second time on the Senate version.
- Individual Democrats also hammered the bill in statements on the Senate vote, with Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) saying: "In all my time in Congress, this is one of the worst bills I've ever seen."
The other side: "The One Big, Beautiful Bill is a big, beautiful opportunity to show how Republicans are delivering results," said National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Mike Marinella.
- "Democrats are once again increasing taxes on hardworking Americans and putting politics over people. We won't let voters forget Democrats' betrayal next fall."
The bottom line: In a dear colleague letter to House Democrats on Tuesday, House Minority Leader Hakeem (D-N.Y.) wrote, "Thanks to your efforts, the country is learning the truth about the One Big Ugly Bill. The more people know about it, the worse it gets for Republicans."
- "As we return to Washington, we must keep the pressure on the Republican extremists."
