Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ passes. How NC lawmakers explained their votes
After passing the House on Thursday, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” — President Donald Trump’s signature legislation — is now on its way to Trump’s desk for signing.
It could be signed into law by Friday, with Trump having pushed for Congress to deliver the megabill to him by July 4.
All Republicans in North Carolina’s House delegation voted in favor of the bill, while all Democrats opposed it.
That pattern largely held true nationwide, with the bill passing the House on a 218 to 214 vote. All Democrats voted against it, while only two Republicans joined them in opposition: Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania.
Many other House Republicans — including members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation — initially struggled to support the bill after the Senate made changes. Concerns focused on Senate amendments increasing the deficit and deepening Medicaid cuts, according to The New York Times. But in a major victory, House Speaker Mike Johnson managed to win over key holdouts.
The Senate had passed the bill Tuesday in a 50-50 vote, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. There, North Carolina’s Sen. Thom Tillis was one of three Republicans who voted against the bill.
He warned in a fiery Sunday speech that it would cause 663,000 people to lose coverage gained through Medicaid expansion. Tillis, who announced his retirement that day, said the bill amounted to Trump breaking his promise to Americans and questioned the wisdom of that move.
North Carolina’s other senator, Republican Ted Budd, supported the bill, having cited its extension of 2017 tax cuts and “responsible spending reforms for government programs.”
“Americans cannot afford the largest tax increase in our nation’s history,” Budd said in a statement.
With midterm elections approaching and the Senate narrowly held by Republicans, Tillis’ seat is now up for grabs and is considered an opportunity for Democrats.
Here’s what other lawmakers from North Carolina have said so far following the bill’s passage.
Rep. Greg Murphy on hospitals and Medicaid
Rep. Greg Murphy of Greenville had expressed concerns about the bill earlier this week, saying he was “having a hard time getting to the point where I can support the Senate package,” Punchbowl News reported. Murphy had said he had concerns about funding for rural hospitals that serve low-income communities.
On Thursday, following his favorable vote on the bill, he said on the social media platform X that as a physician with over 30 years of experience serving rural Eastern North Carolina and a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, he “vigorously advocated for a package that protects hardworking families, helps our country flourish, and preserves the fiscal viability of the United States.”
He added, “We achieved this and more while delivering on President Trump’s and Republicans’ vision to put the American people first.”
Murphy said the Medicaid system “is broken” and needs reforming to ensure it remains strong for those who are eligible. He said that he had “innumerable dynamic and spirited conversations with the Trump Administration” throughout the legislative process to “protect rural patients, doctors, and hospitals.”
As “the only individual in Congress who continues to see patients covered by Medicaid,” Murphy said he has firsthand insight into how the program affects local communities.
The House did not make changes to the Senate’s version of the bill, which is expected to cut Medicaid access for millions nationwide due to its work requirements, administrative hurdles, and program changes in areas such as provider taxes.
What other Republicans said
Rep. Chuck Edwards of Flat Rock in Henderson County had also expressed discontent with the Senate version of the bill, joining 15 other lawmakers in signing a letter to Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune. On Wednesday, Edwards said a meeting with the White House “didn’t sway my opinion,” Punchbowl reported. On Thursday, though, he voted for the bill.
A day later, he issued a statement praising the bill, including for its tax cuts and for a $50 billion fund to offset impact on rural hospitals.
“This bill strengthens Medicaid to its original intent: to serve pregnant women, children, folks with disabilities, low-income seniors, and other vulnerable populations,” Edwards’ news release said.
Republican Rep. Addison McDowell of Bermuda Run said on X: “I just voted to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill, just in time for Independence Day! This bill is the course correction our country needs, and it will soon be the law of the land.”
Republican Rep. David Rouzer of Wilmington also celebrated the bill’s passage and its heading to Trump’s desk in time for the Fourth of July weekend.
“This historic legislation delivers big wins to not just the fine citizens who live in North Carolina’s Seventh Congressional District, but to Americans across the country,” Rouzer said on X. “The bill prevents the largest tax hike in history by making permanent key tax cuts that will incentivize the investment and growth necessary to stimulate the economy and increase wages. It also secures our borders, strengthens our national defense, cuts waste, fraud, and abuse across the board, and supports American workers by excluding tips and overtime pay from being taxed, as well as providing tax rebates for seniors.”
Republican Rep. Mark Harris of Indian Trail also celebrated the bill’s passage on X, highlighting its tax cuts — including to taxes on tips and overtime — and new funding for border wall construction and additional Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
Several other House Republicans from North Carolina praised the bill’s passage on social media.
Democrats oppose the bill
Meanwhile, Democrats in the House were united in their opposition.
Rep. Don Davis of Snow Hill said on X that while he “wholeheartedly” supports “safeguarding the American people by strengthening our national defense and securing our border,” he is deeply concerned that “the average hardworking family in eastern North Carolina will bear the brunt of H.R. 1’s out-of-touch spending, as the wealthiest individuals and Washington D.C. insiders stand to benefit the most.”
And Rep. Deborah Ross of Raleigh said on X that under Trump’s direction “House Republicans have done the unimaginable,” citing health care cuts and cuts to nutrition assistance for millions.
This story was originally published July 3, 2025 at 3:43 PM.
