Montana GOP Delegation Backs “Big Beautiful Bill” as Democrats Issue Dire Warnings

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump signed the “Big Beautiful Bill” into law Tuesday at the White House, with Montana Sen. Steve Daines attending the signing ceremony for legislation that includes sweeping tax cuts, energy provisions and border security funding.

The reconciliation bill, which passed the House in May and the Senate on July 1, represents what Republicans called the largest tax cut in American history while Democrats warn it could add $2.4 trillion to the federal deficit and strip healthcare coverage from thousands of Montanans.

Montana-Specific Provisions

The legislation includes several provisions championed by Montana’s Republican delegation:

Energy and Natural Resources:

• Reinstates the Bull Mountains mining plan modification
• Mandates timber sales on Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land
• Requires four annual onshore oil and gas lease sales in top producing states including Montana

Tax Relief:

• Makes Trump’s 20% pass-through business tax deduction permanent
• Eliminates federal taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security benefits for 88% of seniors
• Makes the death tax exemption permanent to protect family farms and ranches
• Prevents what Republicans called a “26% tax hike” on Montanans

Other Provisions:

• Invests $50 billion in rural healthcare and telehealth
• Eliminates the $200 National Firearms Act tax on suppressors and other weapons
• Includes $25 million for the “Golden Dome” military project

Republican Celebration

“The Big Beautiful Bill is a win for Montana and there is no better way to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day than with the signing of this legislation,” Daines said in a statement. “The Big Beautiful Bill will benefit Montana for generations to come and ensure that we remain The Last Best Place.”

Rep. Troy Downing (MT-02) called the legislation “a big win for Big Sky Country,” saying it delivers on the Republican mandate from voters.

“Americans sent a Republican Congress and Republican President to Washington with a mandate,” Downing said. “Today, House Republicans honored that mandate by passing a bill that delivers historic tax relief, unleashes American energy, supports our farmers and ranchers, secures our borders, modernizes our military, strengthens critical programs, protects our public lands, and so much more.”

The bill also includes what Republicans describe as the largest mandatory spending cuts in U.S. history and work requirements for able-bodied adults receiving benefits.

Democratic Opposition

Montana Democrats have strongly criticized the legislation, with party interim executive director Justin Ailport arguing it would harm rural communities and benefit the wealthy at the expense of working families.

“This week, we learned the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office announced Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ could spike the deficit by $2.4 trillion while simultaneously leaving 10.9 million Americans uninsured within the next decade,” Ailport wrote in a June column.

Democrats specifically targeted proposed Medicaid cuts and work requirements, warning they would harm rural hospitals and clinics that depend on Medicaid revenue.

However, analysis from the Mountain States Policy Center disputes claims that the legislation “cuts” Medicaid, noting that the law actually reduces a spending increase from 4% to 2%. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates Medicaid will still grow by $200 billion over the next decade even with the reforms.

The actual Medicaid reforms include a work requirement of 80 hours per month for able-bodied adults, $35 co-pays for provider visits, and eligibility checks every six months instead of relying on states to determine timing. The legislation also reduces the provider tax from 6% to 3.5% while setting aside $50 billion specifically for rural hospitals.

“In rural Montana, Medicaid accounts for a substantial share of rural hospital revenues,” Ailport wrote. “These proposed cuts would push community hospitals and clinics into crisis, especially in rural areas where Medicaid patients make up a large portion of their patient base.”

The Democratic criticism noted that approximately 73% of Montanans on Medicaid are working, with others serving as caregivers for children or disabled family members.

Border Security and Military

The legislation includes what Republicans called the largest border security investment in history, with funding to complete the border wall and send additional resources to the border.

Military modernization funding is also included, with Daines highlighting the $25 million allocation for the “Golden Dome” project.

Legislative Timeline

The bill’s path to Trump’s desk began with House passage in May, followed by Senate approval on July 1. Daines said after the Senate vote that Republicans “delivered on our promise to support President Trump’s America First agenda.”

The legislation prevents what would have been the expiration of several Trump-era tax cuts, while making some provisions permanent and adding new tax relief measures.