The Big Beastly Bill
May 30, 2025 - News, Views and To-Dos for Democrats
What Art Friedson Has On His Mind
Last week, the House barely passed what they call The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, named as an homage to Donald Trump, because, of course, if you’re not feeding Trump’s ego, you have to be feeding his coffers. Otherwise, you don’t get to play. It was cheaper for the spineless majority just to put his favorite title on the bill than to buy his digital tokens or spend a million dollars to attend a dinner with the most corrupt president in U.S. History.
But I digress. The bill, should it ever become law, is over 1,000 pages, a deliberate strategy to hide the most egregious parts. One would think it’s a tax bill, but it’s way more than that. The non-partisan Center for American Progress calls it the largest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in a single law in U.S. history. Jonathan Chait widens the lens, pointing out in The Atlantic that “what [the Republicans] believe—what has been the party’s core moral foundation for decades—is that the government takes too much from the rich, and gives too much to the poor.”
Let’s take a quick look at what’s actually contained in what I prefer to call the Big Beastly Bill. For a wonderful deep dive, spend some time scrolling through the NYTimes’ incredibly detailed and visually appealing summary, A Complete List of Everything in the Republican Bill, and How Much It Would Cost or Save.
The top line is that tax cuts to the über-wealthy and corporations cost about $5.5 trillion over 10 years. That’s more than the increase in the national debt under Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Ronald Reagan combined. Tack on the cost of Trump’s purely pandering tax cuts -exempting taxes from tips, social security, car interest payments and the like- all of which cynically end either after the 2026 midterms or the 2028 general election, and you’ve got another half-a-trillion dollars.
However, the entire bill is expected to increase the national debt by $3 to $4 trillion, so where are they making up the difference? It’s coming from working families at a cost to them and the nation’s health and welfare.
They talk a lot about not cutting Medicaid, but what the bill actually does is a classic Trump/Musk double-whammy. First, it adds all sorts of eligibility hurdles like work requirements. Studies show that work requirements by themselves don’t have much of an impact on the number of Medicaid recipients or employment, but stick with me. Next, it makes the program's requirements impossible to comprehend, and at the same time, it drastically reduces the number of people in federal agencies who would otherwise be there to help applicants navigate their way through the system. Voila! You wind up saving $450 billion just on the work requirement, and another $300 billion or so with other onerous provisions designed not to reduce fraud and abuse, but to prevent needy Americans from signing up for or staying on Medicaid.
They apply the same twisted strategy to Obamacare. By shortening enrollment periods, firing navigators and raising premiums, the Big Beastly Bill will leave another 4 million Americans without health insurance. Add that to the estimated 3 million Americans who will lose healthcare under Medicaid, and over 7 million big beautiful American families will go without basic healthcare coverage thanks to Donald Trump and his obsequious lackeys. At the same time, access to food assistance will be cut dramatically as well, hurting hungry kids while denying a lucrative market to our farmers at a time when the tariff war is killing their biggest markets. All so they can keep taxes low for the ultra-wealthy.
Then there is the assault on science and academia. Dictators always target the intelligentsia, and those assaults result in poorer health for the population, missed opportunities for scientific breakthroughs, and a diminution of the quality of life for most residents. The Big Beastly Bill will cut NIH spending in half on basic science in areas like math, physics and chemistry, biology, education, engineering, technology, geosciences, and social sciences. Nah, we don’t need that stupid stuff. Who wants to cure cancer anyway?
The irony in all of this -and the opportunity for us in the midterms and beyond- is that the people who will suffer the most under the Big Beastly Bill are working-class MAGA voters. The hard-core MAGAts won’t flinch, but the other groups who joined them in voting for Trump in unusual numbers won’t be nearly as loyal. And watch the farmers, who are just being killed by Trump.
If you think that all this is bad enough, hold on to your hats. There’s a reason the bill was passed in the dead of night. If it was so great, they would have passed it in time for the evening news.
Buried in the bill is a provision that removes the tax and lowers requirements for purchasing silencers for guns. Of course, silencers are only used by the most respectable sportsmen, but really? And what exactly does this have to do with a tax bill?
The bill eliminates federal funding for Planned Parenthood, an item that is expected to increase federal costs by over $300 million because who else can provide care as efficiently or effectively as Planned Parenthood? Spite triumphs over reason, another hallmark of the Trump Administration.
It’s really hard to identify the worst item in the bill, but a strong contender has to be a provision that would prevent judges from enforcing contempt orders that seems to be aimed straight at the heart of the district courts that are considering contempt charges against Trump officials. It’s one more major step towards granting Trump the Imperial Presidency he wants so badly.
We know that some form of the Big Beastly Bill will pass through the Senate, but let’s hope it gets hopelessly bogged down there and again when it returns to the House. In the meantime, we can certainly hope that Leader Hakeem Jeffries was correct in saying that the bill’s passage, by a 215–214 margin, would mark the moment the Republicans ensured the loss of their majority in the midterm elections. Let’s make it happen.
Check It Out with Nancy Kohn
Common Ground. Does it surprise you that there are a few issues that have huge bipartisan support? Writing in WaPo, Republican strategist and pollster Jim McLaughlin and Democratic strategist Tom Z. Friedman share that “an astounding 94 percent of voters agreed with the statement that ‘It is important that both Democrats and Republicans come together to solve the problems that are facing America.’” They note strong agreement on issues such as creating a tax credit for worker training, keeping teens and children safe online, incentivizing businesses to expand child care, and ensuring the safety of our food and drinking water.
Oddly enough, there’s something else we agree on: what kind of vacations we like. The University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s Institute of Politics recently released a poll showing that roughly 40% of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans prefer beach vacations as their go-to summer trips. They may not be going to the same beaches, but still, in these days of deep divisions, it’s nice to see there are things we can agree on.
Kwame leads the charge. State Attorneys General are leading the fight against Trump’s executive orders and policies, and at the forefront of the movement is our own Kwame Raoul, Attorney General of Illinois. WBEZ Chicago makes the point that the fight is personal for Kwame. He is a “birthright baby” born to Haitian immigrants in Chicago. His prostate cancer is in remission, so Trump’s dismantling of the National Institutes of Health has personal meaning for him. And as a Black man serving as Illinois’ top law enforcement officer, he has a lot to say about Trump’s dismantling of DEI initiatives. He’s got good advice for all of us, particularly the law firms that caved to Trump’s intimidation: “If we all stand solid, he will be beaten back.”
Not in my backyard. Like many small, working-class towns, 80% of the residents of Kennett, Missouri, voted for Trump. They supported his policy to deport illegal immigrants, but things changed when ICE arrested their immigrant. One day, Carol, whose legal name is Ming Li Hui, didn’t show up for her shift at John’s Waffle and Pancake House. It turns out that Carol, a waitress, house cleaner, regular church-goer, mother of three, and 20-year resident of Kennett, was in the United States on a long-expired tourist visa.
“I voted for Donald Trump, and so did practically everyone here,” said Vanessa Cowart, a friend of Ms. Hui from church. “But no one voted to deport moms. We were all under the impression we were just getting rid of the gangs, the people who came here in droves.”
She paused. “This is Carol.”
For the last 100+ days, we have been saying that when voters see the impact Trump’s terrible policies have on people they know personally, things will start to change. We hope this is one example of a growing backlash.
Keeping them honest. While we’re on the topic of keeping it personal, the Center for American Progress is collecting and publishing highly localized data on DOGE cuts by city, state, and congressional district. Their data center on terminations of contracts, grants, and leases. Check out their site and contribute your data to what may be the only honest and reliable information on the damage DOGE is doing.
More power to them. The Chicago Tribune published a great piece on one of our Just Cause Consulting clients, Reading Power. The article highlights their mission to drive children’s literacy learning and instill a lifelong love of reading and writing. As CEO, Lisa Bulzoni was quoted as saying, "Our true goal is to transform as many lives as possible, ensuring that every child has access to the literacy support they deserve.” The bottom line is that this year, the 425 Reading Power tutors will work with over 800 students at schools in North Chicago, Zion, Waukegan, Wheeling, and Palatine, IL, enhancing their opportunities to succeed in life.
No kings! On June 14, join a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies. No Kings protests will take place in Highland Park at 11:00, Des Plaines at 1:00, Buffalo Grove at noon, Palatine at 12:30, Mount Prospect at 2:00, and Arlington Heights at 3:00. Click here for more information.
Taco Trump. We don’t often cite The Drudge Report, but we have to hand it to them for reporting on a new trading strategy on Wall Street that bets on Trump backing off from his tariff threats. The trade is called a TACO, which stands for “Trump Always Chickens Out.” Mike Hiltzik from Yahoo Finance explains it all here.
What I’m reading.
The NYTimes is out with their peek at 31 Novels Coming Out This Summer. The Carol Shields Prize for Fiction longlist also includes some great recommendations. Curious about the Carol Shields Prize? It is the first major English-language literary prize to celebrate creativity and excellence in fiction by women and non-binary writers in Canada and the United States.
Meanwhile, did you follow the story about the controversial AI-generated list of recommended reads published in the Chicago Sun Times? Yesterday, Melissa Bell, CEO of Chicago Media, published a mea culpa with a real list of recommended reads.
My TBR (To-Be-Read) List just keeps getting longer. What is on your TBR list?
I often recommend the books my book groups are reading—and this month, both have made a great choice, "How to Read a Book" by Monica Adler. It’s a chance encounter at a bookstore that leads to a story of letting go of guilt, embracing second chances, forming unlikely friendships, and the transformative power of books. Two thumbs up from me.
On The Calendar
Elizabeth Warren in D.C. for IWILTA. The IWIL Training Academy, which trains pro-choice Democratic women from Illinois to run for office, will host its first-ever fundraiser in D.C., featuring Special Guest Senator Elizabeth Warren. The event, hosted by former Congresswoman Cheri Bustos and Ullico, Inc., with Senator Tammy Duckworth, will take place on Tuesday, June 10th, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 660 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Suite 202. If you’re in town or would like to make a donation to a great cause, click here.
Maura Sullivan in Chicago. Please join Sarah Kammerer & Adam Hitchcock for a reception with Maura Sullivan, candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, NH-01’s open seat, currently held by a Democrat. Maura was born and raised in Evanston, was in ROTC at Northwestern, and is a Marine veteran who served in Iraq. The event will take place on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in downtown Chicago. Click here to RSVP or donate.
Haley Stevens in Chicago. With the retirement of Senator Gary Peters, politicos are keeping an eye on this likely highly competitive race in Michigan. Stevens is no stranger to competitive races, having flipped an open House seat in 2018 and narrowly won re-election in 2020. Debi Bernstein-Siegel & Eric Geller, Brian Brothman, Atticus Franken, Sarah Kammerer & Adam Hitchcock, Jon Samuels, and Julio Urruita are hosting a reception for Rep. Haley Stevens, Wednesday, June 18th, 5:30 pm in Chicago. Click here to RSVP or donate.
IDCCA Summer Brews. It’s back and it’s big fun! The Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association will be holding their 7th Annual IDCCA Summer Brews event on Monday, June 23, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Midwest Coast Brewing. Don’t miss the fun. Click here to see the fabulous host committee, get more details, and purchase your ticket today.
In Memoriam
Celeste Gabinski died on May 20th from a nearly three-year battle with pancreatic cancer. We were Durbin colleagues, and I will miss her big heart. She was incredibly gracious, compassionate, thoughtful, intelligent, and good company to be with. Our deepest sympathies to her husband, the Honorable Terry Gabinski, her son, Cpl. Matthew Gabinski (USMC) and her daughter Molly Priorello. Full obituary here. May her memory be a blessing.
Jobs and Internships
NEW! Working Credit is a not-for-profit organization that helps people in any financial situation overcome the obstacles to good credit and reap the benefits that come with it. With the belief that good credit is the gateway to socio-economic opportunities that enable people and communities to thrive, Working Credit provides personalized programming that combines credit-building workshops and one-on-one counseling. They are seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization and drive the programmatic, operational, and financial strategy and growth critical to its success. Get more information here. The deadline to apply is July 11th.
Impact for Equity has grown from a small, upstart public interest law firm into one of Chicago’s most respected law and policy centers, driving statewide change across Illinois in pursuit of racial, economic, and social justice. They are seeking an Executive Director who will provide leadership in developing and implementing a new strategic plan to address the evolving needs of Impact for Equity and its stakeholders; consistently engage in sophisticated/innovative strategic communications, public advocacy and visibility; and establish and maintain relationships with individual donors, donor organizations, universities, public officials, civic and partner organizations in a manner that promotes the mission and work of Impact for Equity. Get more information and apply here.
One Summer Chicago brings together government institutions, community-based organizations and companies to offer employment and internship opportunities
to youth and young adults ages 14 to 24. Check out their offerings here, and thanks to School Board Member Ellen Rosenfeld for bringing it to our attention.
Advance Illinois is a not-for-profit policy and advocacy organization that works toward a healthy public education system that prepares students to achieve success in college, career, and civic life. They are currently seeking to fill two positions: a Senior Government Relations Associate to work on issues related to state education policy, and a Senior Development Associate to lead a comprehensive, growing, and sustainable year-round fundraising program to support and expand the general operations and programs of Advance Illinois. Click on the appropriate position for more information and to apply.
Nourishing Hope has connected people facing hunger with food for over 55 years. They are currently seeking an Executive Director who is a passionate, committed, and authentic leader with relevant professional experience in managing and leading an organization of similar complexity and scope. This person is driven to provide healthy solutions to alleviate hunger and promote mental well-being among our community. Get more information and apply here.
Internship! Ready to kickstart your career in politics? Apply for the IWIL Training Academy’s spring or summer internship! If you’re passionate about empowering pro-choice Democratic women to lead, this is your chance to make a difference. You’ll gain hands-on experience and connect with inspiring leaders. Internships are hybrid and unpaid; school credit is an option. Interested applicants should email a cover letter and resume to Sofia Rodriguez at staff@iwiltrainingacademy.org
The Obama Foundation’s mission is to inspire people to take action, empower them to change their world for the better, and connect them so they can achieve more together than they can alone. They are now hiring for several positions. You can visit their Careers page here.
Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats (Tenth Dems) is accepting applications for its Summer 2025 Internship Program. The internship is designed for high school, college, graduate, and law students seeking to become deeply engaged in the political process. Residency in the 10th Congressional District is not required. Still, applicants should have an interest in electing Democrats in the area and a willingness to devote a minimum of 16 hours per week to the internship during the summer. Applicants should submit a brief paragraph explaining why they want to be part of the program, along with their resume. Neither needs to be formal. To apply or request more information, email info@tenthdems.org.
Brandon’s Internships Bulletin is now Brandon’s Hillternship Hub. The new site links to four tables, which contain the internship pages for every Democratic House office, House committee website, Senate office, and Senate committee. In addition, it includes info on whether the internship application is open, the application deadline, and key details on the position (dates, pay, time commitment, etc.). He also publishes a weekly email with the latest listings for internships in progressive politics, nonprofits, and foreign policy/international affairs. Subscribe at brandonsbulletin.substack.com.
Finally, here are some useful links to check out if you’re searching for a job in politics, policy, or advocacy:
Daybook is a great resource for political, policy, and government jobs around the country.
Want to work with progressive organizations or nonprofits doing good? Check out the listings at Democracy Partners, Grossman Solutions, NPAG, and Forefront.
Here are three good sites to land campaign jobs at the entry level and beyond: Emily’s List, Jobs That Are Left, and GainPower.
Thanks for reading and welcome to our new subscribers. Special thanks to the growing ranks of great folks who have demonstrated their support by becoming paid subscribers; you’re an exceptional bunch.
We’re on the road in June, so paid subscribers can look for a message from Art on June 13th, and all subscribers will receive the next full newsletter on June 27th. Enjoy the start of summer!
Who are we? Since 2003, we’ve been sharing our news, views and to-dos. The NKC Occasional Update is brought to you by Nancy Kohn, a seasoned political consultant in Chicago, and Art Friedson, a dedicated political enthusiast. We enjoy hearing from our readers, so feel free to post directly on this article or send us an email. Thank you for your support!
Nancy Kohn nkohn@kohnconsulting.com Art Friedson art.friedson@gmail.com
June 14 No Kings protest in Daley Plaza, Chicago, 12-2.