By Dajhea Jones
ATLANTA — Georgia Congresswoman Lucy McBath is speaking out against a new federal budget bill passed by House Republicans overnight, warning families across the nation to brace for the potential consequences of its deep cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs.
The legislation, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” by supporters, passed the U.S. House in the early morning hours Thursday by a narrow 215-214 vote, with all Democrats voting against it. The package now heads to the Senate for further debate.
Rep. McBath, who represents Georgia’s 6th Congressional District, issued a strong rebuke after the vote, calling the measure a betrayal of working families.
“While most of America was asleep, the Republican majority in Congress pushed through the biggest cuts to Medicaid this country has ever seen,” McBath said in a video posted to Instagram. “This means hospitals in our state may close, leaving the only option hundreds of miles away. Without their preventive care doctor, more people may need to go to the emergency rooms and there will be longer wait times.”
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The Republican-led bill, backed by former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, extends more than $4 trillion in tax breaks, some originally passed in 2017. To offset the cost, the legislation rolls back federal support for health care, food aid, and green energy programs.
That includes new work requirements for adults without dependents to keep their Medicaid coverage or SNAP benefits. The Congressional Budget Office estimates these changes would result in 8.6 million fewer people with health coverage and 3 million fewer people receiving food assistance each month.
McBath said the impact could be felt quickly in Georgia communities, especially among residents who may not even know they’re affected yet.
“People may start being turned away when they try to use their SNAP benefits at the store, or the value on their card doesn’t cover that week’s groceries,” she said.
The bill also includes $350 billion in new spending, with $150 billion of which is allocated for defense, including a proposed “Golden Dome” missile shield, and $12 billion for Trump’s immigration enforcement and mass deportation plans.
Democrats, including McBath, say they were ready to negotiate a bipartisan deal but were shut out of final talks.
"House Republicans ignored us and did it anyway,” McBath said. “All House Democrats voted no on this disastrous bill.”
Supporters of the bill say it will boost the economy and root out waste from federal programs. Speaker Johnson called the measure a return to “winning,” and Trump praised the outcome online, thanking every Republican who voted yes.
But McBath sees it differently.
“If you see your health care costs go up mysteriously or wait times get longer because there are fewer members of staff, you have Speaker Johnson, House Republicans, and President Trump to thank,” she said. “They are taking money and food from your families to give a tax break to Elon Musk and a handful of billionaires.”
The bill faces an uncertain path in the Senate, where Democrats hold a slim majority and negotiations are expected to stretch into the summer.
McBath urged Georgia residents to speak up.
“Our fight isn’t over. The bill now goes to the Senate," she said. "Make your voices heard. Make calls. Voice your anger."
The Associated Press contributed to this report