All-Democrat NH delegation fights Trump’s bill over Medicaid cuts
MANCHESTER, N.H. – The all-Democrat congressional delegation in swing state New Hampshire has joined forces to push back against President Donald Trump’s recently signed “big, beautiful bill.” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the longest-serving member of the delegation, described the sweeping Republican-crafted domestic policy package as “The big beautiful betrayal of the American people.”
Sen. Maggie Hassan criticized the tax cuts and spending measure as “immoral, irrational, and impractical,” while Rep. Chris Pappas called it “a disaster for the American people.” Rep. Maggie Goodlander also expressed concerns, stating that the bill will increase the cost of living for thousands of people in the state.
The new law encompasses a range of Trump’s promises from his 2024 campaign trail and second-term priorities, including tax cuts, immigration reform, defense spending, energy initiatives, and adjustments to the debt limit. It extends the president’s signature 2017 tax cuts and eliminates taxes on tips and overtime pay, while also allocating funds for border security and enforcing Trump’s immigration policies.
Despite these provisions, the $3.4 trillion legislative package is projected to add $4 trillion to the national debt over the next decade. It also includes changes to Medicaid and cuts to food stamps to offset the cost of extending tax cuts. New rules and regulations, such as work requirements for Medicaid recipients, are also part of the bill.
Democrats have been critical of the Medicaid and social safety net cuts in the bill, with Rep. Goodlander calling it “the biggest cuts to health care in American history” to fund tax cuts for the wealthy. The delegation gathered at Waypoint in Manchester, a charitable organization that serves Medicaid recipients, to highlight the potential impact of the bill on vulnerable populations.
Sen. Hassan noted that constituents in New Hampshire are overwhelmingly opposed to the bill, with calls flooding their offices from individuals across the political spectrum. However, with Republicans controlling the White House, House, and Senate, Democrats face limited options to challenge Trump’s agenda.
Progressive activists in the state are urging the Democratic delegation to take stronger action against the bill, including introducing floor amendments and speaking out more forcefully. Some activists feel that the current Democratic Party is not adequately addressing their concerns and are calling for candidates who align with Sen. Bernie Sanders’ platform to emerge in primaries.
Republicans have criticized Democrats for voting against the bill, emphasizing the tax cuts it includes. The New Hampshire Republican Party has targeted Rep. Pappas for his vote, accusing him of supporting the “largest tax hike in American history.” Pappas defended his position, stating that he supports targeted tax cuts for working individuals and small businesses.
Looking ahead to the 2026 midterm elections, both parties are positioning the “big, beautiful bill” as a central issue. Democrats hope to regain control of the House and make the cost crisis a focal point of their campaign. The National Republican Congressional Committee has pledged to make the Democrats’ vote against the bill a key issue in the upcoming election.
In conclusion, the political fight over the “big, beautiful bill” in New Hampshire reflects broader tensions between Democrats and Republicans over domestic policy priorities. As the debate continues, voters will have to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of the legislation as they head to the polls in the next election cycle.
