Today we're taking a look at how President Trump's Big Beautiful Bill is going to affect Californians struggling to get by. As Governor Newsom gears up for his 2028 presidential bid with a trip to genuflect to Jim Clyburn in South Carolina, those of us back home are steeling ourselves for the effects of this legislation.
You may have noticed that every Democrat and two members of the GOP opposed the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, and that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) heroically succeeded in changing its name.
But the bill still passed.
Here are some highlights from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, as reported in the Los Angeles Times:
The wealthiest families will see, on average, $12,000 in tax savings, while the poorest Californians will have to pay an added $1,600 a year, on average, due to reductions in Medicaid and food aid.
Caps for state and local tax deductions, known as SALT, will quadruple to $40,000 for five years, offering some benefits to residents of higher-taxed states like California.
Another $350 billion is being allocated for border and national security, which includes spending on the U.S.-Mexico border and 100,000 migrant detention beds.
ICE will receive funding to offer $10,000 signing bonuses to new employees, with the aim of hiring 10,000 officers and agents.
Immigrants will fund some of these projects by paying new or increased fees, including when they apply for asylum.
In total, the Department of Defense will receive roughly $1 billion in new funding for border security.
Another $25 billion is being set aside for the U.S. to develop its own Israel-type of Iron Dome missile defense system, called the “Golden Dome.”
One incentive that will soon disappear is the electric vehicle tax break of $7,500 for new vehicles and $4,000 for used ones.
Republicans are cutting back on Medicaid and food assistance programs for those below the poverty line.
Many adults receiving Medicaid and food stamps, including those up to age 65, will now have to fulfill an 80-hour-a-month work requirement.
Medicaid patients will also have a new $35 co-payment to contend with.
About 71 million Americans use Medicaid, and 40 million benefit from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, commonly known as food stamps.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that 11.8 million Americans will become uninsured by 2034, and 3 million more will not qualify for SNAP due to the changes.
It's bleak out there, folks.
Don't forget to like, rate, and subscribe to The Drain on your favorite podcast platforms.
Questions? Comments? Pitches? Email us at thedrainpodcast@gmail.com.
And subscribe to our Patreon for premium Friday episodes of The Plug :)
Oh, and we're on Bluesky: @thedrain.bsky.social, @palma.ltd, @yeshelloitskempa.bsky.social
