At a Raleigh town hall, Democrats offer a preview of their messaging on Trump’s ‘Big Bill’ | Opinion

Despite what Republicans say about the merits of the so-called “big, beautiful bill,” they are not eager to talk about it in public forums.

Democrats, however, can’t wait to discuss the highly unpopular legislation with their constituents.

On Tuesday night, two Wake County Democrats, state Sen. Jay Chaudhuri and state Rep. Tim Longest, got that chance. Their town hall had been scheduled in advance of President Donald Trump’s July 4 signing of the bill, but the timing turned out to be, in Chaudhuri’s words, a “fortuitous” opportunity to hear voters’ concerns and shape a Democratic response.

After the town hall drew what Chaudhuri considered a strong crowd of about 50 people on a summer night, he said, “I think Donald Trump just handed state Democrats some of the best messaging.”

During the event, he also credited another Republican with helping with the Democratic narrative. Sen. Thom Tillis, North Carolina’s senior senator, voted against the bill after speaking on the Senate floor.

“For anyone who listened to Tillis’ speech, I think that was as thorough an analysis as you will find,” Chaudhuri said. “He came to the conclusion that, bottom line, the ‘big, beautiful bill’ will cost the state, at the best case scenario $26 billion over 10 years, $32 billion, worst case scenario scenario.”

The two lawmakers tried to make the event at the Pullen Park Community Center a nonpartisan discussion of how the loss of federal aid will complicate a state budget that’s already strained by past and planned tax cuts. Heba Atwa of the nonprofit NC Budget & Tax Center gave a presentation on the effects the new federal law will have on Medicaid and the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps.

But there was no missing the political dynamics behind the painful combination of the Republican-controlled General Assembly reducing state tax revenue and Republicans in Washington cutting food assistance and access to medical care.

The questions from the audience made the political tone clear.

One woman asked, “What plans do Democrats have to regain control of the legislature?”

Another said she feels the nation is “in a car with no brakes and we’re heading toward a precipice.”

Another felt overwhelmed by the volume of divisive issues coming out of the Trump administration. She told the lawmakers, “There’s always been things to oppose, but not at this pace.”

One man told the lawmakers that talking to people in a Democratic “bubble” like Wake County will not get the facts to rural areas that will be hardest hit by state tax cuts and federal budget cuts.

“Who is going out to eastern North Carolina, western North Carolina, who is giving the message?” he asked.

Chaudhuri said he and other Democrats may hold town halls in Republican districts, but the most persuasive message will come from those most affected. “I actually believe that the best voices are those of the people who are impacted,” he said. “These are the stories that have to be pushed out.”

Longest said opposition can’t simply come from Democratic lawmakers. It must come from the public.

“I do not doubt that the volume of comment he received persuaded Sen. Tillis to vote against the ‘big, ugly bill,’ ” Longest said. “It was not, ultimately, at the end of the day research, or any lobbyists, it was hearing from ordinary North Carolinians about the effects this was going to have on our state.”

Ellen Beidler, a retired nurse, left the event in a somber mood. She saw what happened to people who lacked health insurance before Medicaid was expanded, some of them finally coming in for medical care after their cancer had reached a late stage. Now she worries that people will be returned to that vulnerable condition.

“I’m really heartbroken over what’s happening to health care,” she said, “We’re all connected and we’re all going to get hurt.”

Chaudhuri said that health care concerns will be at the center of Democrats’ messaging and at the center of Republicans’ dilemma over the legislation.

“You’re going to take away their chemotherapy coverage for cancer in order to give tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires, and create a huge fiscal deficit in the process?” he said. “What part of the bill actually resonates with the public?”

The legislation was not resonating Tuesday night, but the early town hall suggests it is alarming the public – and energizing the opposition.

This story was originally published July 9, 2025 at 11:36 AM.