Jacob Ogles
The U.S. House early Thursday passed a tax package, dubbed President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The measure narrowly passed on a 215-214 vote, with Florida’s congressional delegation breaking along straight party lines.
Here are reactions from Florida’s lawmakers.
U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean, a Fernandina Beach Republican, spoke in favor of the bill on the floor: “It’s a scary time to be a taxpayer in the United States or those that own a small business. Both are facing a tsunami of tax increases, the largest in U.S. history. But Mr. Speaker, I’ve got good news…help is on the way! The One Big Beautiful Bill is real tax relief for real Americans. It’s for those that are paid in tips, hourly workers that are working overtime, for families, and seniors who have been struggling under the weight of inflation. And it is for the 91% of Americans who use the standard deduction. The bill expands the Child Tax Credit, it secures our border, enhances education and health savings options, it unleashes American energy, it will encourage production on U.S. soil. Made In America will mean something once more. So, buckle up America, and put your seat in the upright position because with the passage of this bill, the Golden Age of America is ready for takeoff.”
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, a Longboat Key Republican, released a statement: “The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act is the definition of promises made and promises kept. House Republicans are delivering on the mandate of the American people by providing real relief, expanding opportunities and making the American Dream attainable for all. This bill offers permanent tax relief to families, workers and small businesses while funding the largest deportation effort of criminal aliens in history, unleashing American energy, bolstering our national defense posture and restoring economic prosperity. I’m proud to have helped lead efforts on the Ways and Means Committee to make the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent and increase the 199A small business deduction to 23% for 30 million small businesses across the country. Our bill includes my longtime priority to secure no tax on tips so workers can keep more of what they earn. We also eliminate taxes on overtime, increase the child tax credit for working families and provide an additional $4,000 for seniors living on a fixed income. This is a commonsense, pro-growth, pro-family, America First bill. We will not stop fighting until we get this bill across the finish line and to the President’s desk.”
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, a Tampa Democrat, released a statement: ““The billionaire tax giveaway will hit Floridians particularly hard, as 3.9 million rely on Medicaid and 4.6 million rely on Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage. The GOP bill takes health care away from children, seniors, pregnant and postpartum women, and people with disabilities to fund a massive tax break for billionaires and big corporations. That is fiscally irresponsible and morally wrong. The bill is chock full of special interest side deals and carve-outs that Republicans tried to hide by having most debate in the wee hours of the morning. Medicaid and the ACA are a lifeline for millions of my neighbors back home in Florida. Slashing essential care means more Floridians will struggle to afford doctor visits, medications, long-term care and critical treatments needed to stay healthy and keep their heads above water. I have fought their shameful attempts to steal from Americans through the night and will not stop fighting to protect the health and well-being of my hardworking neighbors.”
U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack, a Gainesville Republican, released a statement: “The One Big Beautiful Bill Act keeps House Republicans’ promise to the American people and delivers President Trump’s agenda. We’ve worked for months on this bill, working together to deliver the best package for the American people that puts our nation’s safety, security, and economic prosperity first. We’re delivering on our promises to secure the border, make generational investments in our nation’s defense, unleash America’s energy potential to lower costs, avoid the largest tax increase in U.S. history for American families, strengthen Medicaid to ensure it serves its intended population, and eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse from the federal government. I’m proud to share that components of my signature legislative priority—the REINS Act—are included in H.R. 1, requiring congressional approval of major executive branch rules that increase federal spending. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to restore Article I power back to the legislative branch and stop the rampant regulatory regime from running wild. No language drains the swamp, empowers the people, or puts as much money back in Americans’ pockets as REINS. When many believed it couldn’t be included in this historic legislation, we worked hard to find a viable path forward to secure these necessary reforms for Florida’s Third and the American people. I am grateful to my colleagues for working together to deliver this win and look forward to our senators’ support for this historic legislation.”
U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Miramar Democrat, released a statement: “While House Republicans may have advanced this reckless bill in the dead of night, their catastrophic agenda is clear as day. I voted against their scheme because it would result in almost 14 million Americans losing health insurance, put more than 18 million kids at risk of losing their school meals, and lead to $500 billion in Medicare cuts. In other words, people will get sicker, hungrier, and poorer — all just to give billionaires a massive tax break. I will continue to fight back and do whatever it takes to protect South Florida families and small businesses who stand to suffer if this bill were to be signed into law.”
U.S. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, a Hialeah Republican, released a statement: “Once again, House Republicans are delivering on the mandate we promised to the American people under the leadership of President Trump by passing the ‘One, Big Beautiful Bill.’ This legislation responsibly reduces excess spending while protecting vital programs, such as Medicaid and Medicare benefits, for eligible Americans in need. It also provides taxpayers in Florida’s 26th Congressional District with historic tax relief by making President Trump’s highly successful 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) permanent. Had the TCJA been allowed to expire on December 31, 2025, the average taxpayer in FL-26 would have seen a 24% tax hike. Instead, they are guaranteed deductions and get to keep more of their hard-earned money. Additionally, this bill will permanently secure the border and stop the deadly flow of fentanyl into our communities by making major investments in our border patrol agents. It also includes pro-family initiatives, such as expanding the child tax credit, which helps working families keep more of their earnings. Finally, it will unleash American energy and lower costs by reversing the Biden Administration’s burdensome energy policies.”
U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn, a Panama City Republican, posted: “Another huge victory for the House GOP, President Donald Trump, and the American people!”
U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, a West Palm Beach Democrat, released a statement: ““The GOP Tax Scam kicks nearly 14 million people off their health care, including over 1.4 million in Florida, and takes food away from millions of Americans to give huge tax breaks to billionaires like Elon Musk. It’s cruel, reckless, morally indefensible, and balloons the national debt by more than $5 trillion. That’s why I voted no.”
U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin, a Lakeland Republican, released a statement: “This reconciliation bill is about more than reversing bad policy. It is about securing the future. It roots out waste, fraud and abuse, restores discipline to the budget process and puts America’s long-term interests ahead of short-term politics. We are shifting the focus back to national defense, border security and relief for hardworking families. This plan delivers results now and lays the groundwork for lasting strength. It stops massive tax hikes, ends wasteful subsidies and protects the core pillars of our economy. It also reforms critical programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, ensuring those who rely on these services—and those the programs are intended to help—receive the care and support they need. House Republicans are showing responsible leadership is possible and reaffirming the belief that future generations deserve a stronger, safer and more secure America. I urge the Senate to move swiftly and send this bill to the president’s desk.”
Democratic U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost spoke against the bill on the floor: “This is a moment I’m never going to forget, because tonight, hundreds of Republican members of Congress are wanting to line up to vote for the biggest transfer of wealth from the working poor and the working class to billionaires and mega-corporations that we’ve seen in this country’s history. This is a deep moment of betrayal, a complete absence of loyalty to the people that we represent, in an abandonment of the values of hard work and dignified life. Mr. Speaker, I’m 28 years old. My generation already expects that we’ll never be able to afford a home, to get out of debt, to retire, to live comfortably. And no, it’s not because we’ve lived beyond our means, but it’s because we’ve been denied the means to live. Donald Trump and congressional Republicans are making it worse, gutting Medicaid and food assistance to give tax cuts to billionaires and special interest and all of the things that you could give tax breaks for. This bill will cut taxes on silencers for guns. For those who don’t know gun, silencers can be attached to a gun to muffle the sound of a gunshot. These silencers make it harder to identify and respond to the source of the gunshots. Earlier, I put forth an amendment to strip this tax cut for the gun lobby, and House Republicans wouldn’t even let it come up for a vote, and then the Republicans made the bill worse in their Manager’s Amendment by making silencers completely unregulated. My question is, why did this get added to the bill just a couple hours ago? Which congressional Republican just couldn’t stand to vote for the horrible bill until it promised even more death to people and so America, we got to be very clear and truthful about this. Budget laws for gun manufacturers to make more money off of the death of children and our people. Food for children to eat, no. health care for seniors, disabled Americans and millions more, no. Resources to help working families fight to ends meet, no. this is why they’ve been told to not host any town halls back in their districts. That’s why this debate is happening in the middle of the night. It’s nothing short of fact and congressional Republicans are really helping me understand why half of this country doesn’t vote. It’s because they’ll look people in the eyes and make promises only to come here in the middle of the night to advance a bill that will take away the benefits that they have earned. Republicans would have us believe that the person more most likely to steal from you is a person in a hoodie, a black person in a hoodie, or immigrant with tattoos. This is to distract from the fact that at least here tonight, the people stealing from Americans are not folks with tattoos and hoodies. It’s people wearing suits and ties and congressional pins, sitting in this capital. Right now, not in some random alley, wrapped in darkness. But in the United States Congress, wrapped in the flag. It is disgusting, and we will never forget this.”
U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos, an Indian Harbour Beach Republican, released a statement: “Today, we took a major step forward in keeping the promises we made to the American people. This bill delivers the tax relief Americans need, the border security they deserve, and the economic future our children depend on. We’re cutting taxes on tips and overtime, protecting seniors on fixed incomes, and putting an end to wasteful handouts for those who break our laws. These are real changes that will make life better for working families across Florida and across the country. I’m proud to stand with President Trump and my House Republican colleagues to move this bold, conservative agenda forward.”
U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, a Stuart Republican, posted: “PASSED! We voted to make America great again and prevented the largest tax hike in American history by passing the One Big Beautiful Bill. Time for the Senate to step up and send this to President Trump’s desk. President Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill has passed the House and is moving on to the Senate. A HUGE win for Americans! Thank you, President Trump!”
U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis, a Fort Walton Beach Republican, released a statement: “Thanks to the incredible leadership of Speaker Johnson and President Trump, the ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ Act will cement into law tax cuts for Americans across the board, hold the federal government accountable through fiscal responsibility, strengthen our borders to keep Americans safe, and provide a real chance for folks to work, raise a family, and live the American dream. I’m proud to have supported this historic legislation alongside my colleagues in the House and encourage its quick passage in the Senate. This ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ is a win for every hardworking American. Better days are ahead.”
U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, a Jacksonville Republican, released a statement: “The One Big Beautiful Bill will give Americans a much-needed tax break AND refocus our country on delivering for the American people. That’s why I voted YES. Contrary to what you are hearing about the One Big Beautiful Bill, it will NOT be a huge deficit bill. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) was wrong about the original Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) score in 2017. They failed then to account for the tremendous economic growth caused by tax relief for hardworking, middle-class Americans. So, why should we believe them now? This bill will NOT cut Medicaid and SNAP benefits — it WILL strengthen these programs for future generations. The Big Beautiful Bill WILL: Continue to boost our economy; Make President Trump’s tax cuts permanent; Focus resources on permanently closing the Southern Border; Incentivize Made-In-America cars and manufacturing; End taxes on tips and overtime pay; Slash taxes on Social Security, offering historic tax relief to seniors; Increase the Child Tax Credit; Secure more than a trillion dollars in mandatory savings; Cap SALT deductions; Update air traffic control system to ensure Americans fly safely and efficiently; Unleash American energy dominance; Cut Green New Deal policies; Revolutionize our national security and America’s maritime dominance.”
U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, a Kissimmee Democrat, posted: “Democrats stand for middle class tax cuts. What we won’t stand for is RECORD MEDICAID, MEDICARE and NUTRITION CUTS, just to mostly fund BILLIONAIRE TAX CUTS and add $5 TRILLION to the national debt. I voted NO on the Big Ugly Bill.”
U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican, posted: “President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill just PASSED the House. Extends Trump’s 2017 TCJA tax cuts, protecting millions from a massive hike; Ends taxes on tips, OT, and auto loan interest; Provides relief for seniors, families, and small businesses; Funds the border wall & boosts deportation of illegal immigrants; Unleashes U.S. energy by cutting red tape and restarting drilling. A huge win for American workers, families, and our country. Now the Senate must deliver on the people’s mandate to enact the America First Trump agenda.”
U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster, a Clermont Republican, posted: “I just voted to pass the ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL — fulfilling key promises of President Donald Trump’s America First agenda: Secures the border by completing Trump’s border wall; Prevents the largest tax hike in history; Provides tax relief for senior citizens; Cuts $1.6 trillion in reckless spending. My House GOP colleagues and I are answering the call of the American people. This Big, Beautiful bill will restore fiscal discipline, protect our sovereignty, and renew the American spirit to usher in the next great American century.”
U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, a Miami-Dade Democrat, posted: “Republicans just voted to gut health care for nearly 14 million Americans and slash food assistance — just to reward billionaire donors. People will die. Children will go hungry. This bill is simply inhumane. I voted no and we must keep working to defeat this bill!”
The bill now heads to the Senate, where both of Florida’s senators are aligned with Trump’s agenda.
U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, a Plant City Republican, posted: “We’re committed to passing a reconciliation package that roots out wasteful spending, creates new jobs, and enacts permanent tax cuts and higher take-home pay. The American people deserve real results, real policies, and real leadership. Under President Trump, we are working to delivering that.”
