TOPEKA (KSNT) – Top Kansas lawmakers are speaking their minds in the aftermath of the U.S. Senate narrowly passing President Donald Trump’s tax bill Tuesday.
U.S. Senators voted 50-50 in Washington on July 1 with Vice President JD Vance providing the tie-breaking decision to pass the Trump-backed spending bill, according to The Associate Press (AP). The bill now heads back to the U.S. House for further action before it can hit Trump’s desk for final approval.
Critics of the bill say it will make large cuts to Medicaid, potentially impacting millions of people nationwide, according to The Hill. The White House issued a statement on July 1 applauding passage of the bill, saying that it will lead to increased border security, lower taxes and protect Medicaid for those who need it.
Why legalizing weed in Kansas isn’t working
Major Kansas lawmakers and other organizations in the Sunflower State began to issue responses to the “Big Beautiful Bill” shortly after it successfully passed the U.S. Senate. While some expressed anticipation for sending the bill on to Trump, others are examining the bill or condemning it.
“Earlier today, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation bill (“Big Beautiful Bill”). My office and I are now carefully reading and reviewing it to understand what the Senate changed for the better and what it changed for the worse compared with what we previously passed in the House. We will be fully informed before it comes to another vote in the House.”
U.S. Representative of Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District Derek Schmidt
U.S. Representative of Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District, Sharice Davids, said she will hold a press conference on Wednesday, July 2 to talk in depth about the bill. She said the current bill is harmful to those relying on Medicaid and delivers “massive tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations.”
“The One Big Beautiful Bill is a pro-growth, pro-worker piece of legislation that unleashes our economy by lowering taxes, rewarding hard work, and leveling the playing field for small businesses and working families.
This is what Kansans voted for.”
U.S. Representative of Kansas’ 1st Congressional District Tracey Mann
Both U.S. Senators for Kansas, Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall, praised the passage of the bill in separate press releases on Tuesday. Moran said the bill will help protect rural hospitals by creating a $50 billion fund to give emergency help for those at risk of closure due to financial troubles. Marshall, meanwhile, said the bill will deliver large tax cuts for middle and working-class people nationwide along with helping to overhaul air traffic control technology.
“This bill guts key policies that keep health care accessible and affordable, and now Kansans will feel it – in their health care costs, in the availability of care, and skyrocketing insurance premiums. This legislation makes historic cuts to Medicaid, reduces tax credits that help Kansans afford private insurance through the Marketplace, makes them more difficult to get, and incentivizes lower-quality health insurance plans. It will terminate coverage for Kansas children, seniors, and people with disabilities, while simultaneously increasing the federal deficit by $3 trillion.”
Director of Communications Lacey Kennett with Alliance for a Healthy Kansas
What new Kansas laws go into effect on July 1, 2025?
For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.
Reporting from The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf
