What’s Really in the “Big Beautiful” Budget Bill?
You may have heard that the “Big Beautiful” budget bill now moving through Congress is designed to cut taxes, help working families, and reduce wasteful government spending. That’s the sales pitch. But once you look at what’s actually in the bill, the picture looks very different.
This post breaks it down in simple terms — what the bill says it does, what it actually does, and who it’s really for.
What Supporters Say
Supporters of the bill say it will:
Lower taxes for working people
Cut taxes on tips and overtime pay
Eliminate wasteful programs
Reduce the national debt
All of that sounds good. But the fine print tells a different story.
What’s Actually in the Bill
Large Tax Cuts — Mostly for the Wealthy
The bill makes permanent the 2017 tax cuts that mostly benefited corporations and high-income earners.
It adds new tax breaks like eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, which will help some workers — but the biggest benefits, in dollar terms, go to people with high incomes and large estates.
It raises the amount of money wealthy families can pass down to their heirs without paying any federal estate tax — from about $13 million today to around $15 million per person, and more for couples. That’s tax-free inheritance of up to $30 million per household.
Deep Cuts to Social Programs
To help pay for the tax cuts, the bill includes nearly $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid, food assistance (SNAP), and other social programs.
These are programs that help low- and middle-income Americans afford healthcare, food, and basic needs.
Adds to the National Debt
Even with the spending cuts, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill will add about $2.3 trillion to the national debt over the next 10 years.
Other analysts suggest the total could be even higher.
What This Means in Practice
While the bill is being sold as pro-worker and fiscally responsible, the effects tell another story:
People with the most wealth get the biggest long-term tax breaks — especially those planning to pass on large fortunes.
People with lower incomes face reduced access to healthcare and food assistance.
The national debt increases, despite claims of deficit reduction.
This is a pattern we’ve seen before: large tax cuts that mostly help the wealthy, followed by calls to shrink programs that working families depend on.
Final Thought
Whatever your political views, it’s worth looking past the headlines and reading between the lines. This bill gives a lot to those who already have the most — and asks those with the least to give something up.
The question isn’t whether tax cuts are good or bad. It’s: who are they for, and who pays for them?
This bill shifts money upward — not just now, but into future generations. And it does it while claiming to help working families and fix the debt. That’s a big promise. But it’s not what the bill actually delivers.