Sherrill, McIver, Menendez Jr. Vote Against Trump-Backed ‘Beautiful Bill’

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A controversial federal spending plan championed by President Donald Trump passed a crucial vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, less than 24 hours before the Independence Day holiday kicks off.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, also known as the “Big Beautiful Bill,” was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 218-214. The legislation now heads to Trump’s desk for his signature.

The spending plan will extend Trump’s 2017 tax reforms, while cutting billions of dollars from the federal budget to help balance the books. Meanwhile, the bill will add trillions to the national debt, ramp up military spending and provide more money for deportations, prisons and border security.

Each of New Jersey’s Democratic House members voted “no,” including three Congress members who represent towns in Essex County: U.S. Reps. Robert Menendez Jr. (NJ-8), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) and Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11).

Each of the state’s Republican House members voted “yes.”

>> Read More: 'Big Beautiful Bill' Passed By House (What It Means In NJ)

“Every single Republican who helped pass this bill should be ashamed of their vote, and every single American should remember exactly what the GOP has told us today: unless you are among the wealthiest, you do not matter to them,” McIver charged.

“We fought this bill until the end and will work to undo the damage this will cause for our country and communities—no matter how long it takes,” wrote McIver, who represents towns including Caldwell, East Orange, Essex Fells, Irvington, Montclair (part), Newark (part), Orange, Verona and West Orange.

“The cruelty of this bill cannot be separated from the cruelty of the Republican party that created it —a party that worked to strip 17 million Americans of health care, raise our energy bills, and gut food assistance, all to please Donald Trump?” she added.

• See Related: NJ Congresswoman Enters Plea After Clash Outside ICE Prison

Sherrill derisively referred to the bill as the “Republican Price Hike Bill.”

“This cruel piece of legislation will kick hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans off their health care and raise costs for even more, cut food assistance for working families, and increase the cost of utilities and mortgages,” Sherrill said.

“At the same time, they are funneling New Jersey’s hard-earned tax dollars to Trump’s billionaire friends and donors,” the congresswoman continued. “Our country is built on the promise of the American Dream — that this country provides opportunity for everyone. This bill is ripping apart the very foundation of that dream by giving handouts to the richest Americans while making working families pay the price.”

“As billionaires line their pockets, children will go hungry, seniors will not be able to access health care, and New Jerseyans will see their monthly bills go up,” said Sherrill, who represents towns including Belleville, Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair (part), North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, South Orange and West Caldwell.

• See Related: NJ Democrats Rally Behind Mikie Sherrill After Primary Election

Menendez Jr., who represents towns including part of Newark, has been ripping the bill in a series of video posts on his social media pages.

“On my way back to Washington to vote against Republicans' disastrous bill,” he posted earlier this week. “Why would anyone vote for it? No spin can hide the fact that this bill will hurt people.”

Supporters of the bill include U.S. Reps. Jeff Van Drew and Tom Kean Jr., who each issued statements about their votes.

Kean, who represents the state’s 7th district, called the vote a “major win for New Jerseyans.”

“We made significant progress on key priorities like securing the border, unleashing American energy and advancement, and strengthening national security—all while cutting wasteful spending, advancing affordability, and making the federal government both more efficient and more accountable,” the congressman said.

Van Drew, who represents the state’s 2nd district, released a list of “facts and fictions” about the bill, claiming that it “delivers the largest middle- and working-class tax cut in U.S. history.”

There will be no loss of Medicaid for “legal, eligible recipients,” the congressman said, adding that there will be no changes in coverage for expectant mothers, seniors, people with disabilities, working families and children.

“We included a modest 20 hours a week of work requirements, only for able-bodied adults without children, not including seniors and disabled individuals,” Van Drew said. “If an individual cannot work, they can volunteer in their community. If they cannot volunteer, they can take online courses where they can learn a trade, get their GED, or take college courses.”

Benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will remain fully funded – for “eligible groups,” Van Drew said.

Social justice advocates from New Jersey continue to sound the alarm despite Republicans’ reassurances, however.

“There’s nothing beautiful about ripping health care away from millions while handing billionaires a massive tax break,” criticized Eric Benson, of For the Many, a coalition made up of more than 40 advocacy groups, including some based in Essex County.

“Trump’s so-called One Big Beautiful Bill is a direct attack on working families, seniors, immigrants and communities of color,” Benson said. “It’s nothing but a massive giveaway to the ultra-rich, and New Jersey deserves better.”

“This bill kills,” Benson added. “It bankrupts. It robs our future to enrich the few. This isn’t reform — it’s robbery.”

• See Related: Booker, Kim Vote Against Senate Budget Bill, Trump Cheers Its Passage

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