GOP spending bill slashes social safety net, cuts taxes for higher earners

The proposed "big, beautiful bill" would significantly cut food and health benefits for low-income Americans, while providing tax cuts to higher earners, potentially devastating the nation's safety net. Experts warn that these cuts could lead to overcrowded emergency rooms, increased chronic health issues, medical debt, and hunger. If passed, the bill would be the largest cut to the social safety net in decades. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 20% of food stamp spending would be cut, affecting over 2 million people, and nearly 12 million people could lose health insurance due to Medicaid cuts. Many of those affected would be hit with a double whammy, facing higher healthcare costs while struggling to afford groceries. The bottom 20% of earners would see a nearly 3% decline in income, while the top 1% would see a nearly 2% increase. The bill's proponents argue that work requirements would reduce waste and fraud, but opponents claim they would lead to people losing benefits, even if they are working. The White House and Congressional Republicans believe the bill would preserve vital lifelines for Americans and turbocharge the economy. However, experts argue that the bill would undo the progress made in reducing poverty rates in the US, which had decreased significantly since 2020 due to increased social safety net spending.