The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" signed by President Donald Trump, once disparaged by Democratic lawmakers as the "Big, Ugly Bill," is now receiving praise from some members of the minority party.
Despite their initial opposition, several Democrats are now claiming responsibility for certain provisions within the bill that they believe will benefit their constituents.
According to Conservative Daily News, the Act, which encompasses sweeping tax relief and immigration law, is set to bring billions of dollars in federal funding to communities across the nation. This has led to a shift in perspective among some Democrats, who initially vehemently opposed the bill.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has previously warned that the passage of Trump's budget bill could cost Republicans control of the lower chamber during the midterms. However, some members of his conference are now subtly indicating that certain provisions within the bill are resonating positively with voters.
"House Democrats voted against the largest tax cuts in generations, historic border security, and safer communities then tried to take a victory lap because theyve got nothing else to run on," said National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) spokesman Mike Marinella. "Thats like lighting a house on fire and taking credit when the fire department shows up.
Democratic Kansas Rep. Sharice Davids, for instance, recently lauded the new federal funding allocated to her Kansas City area district to help cover the security costs of hosting six matches for the 2026 World Cup. However, she failed to acknowledge that this funding was secured through the presidents "big, beautiful" law, which she had voted against.
Davids had previously referred to the legislation as an extreme budget [that] hurts everyone who isnt already a billionaire, expressing her frustration and outrage over the bills passage. Yet, she is not the only Democrat subtly taking credit for the provision within Trumps signature piece of legislation that allocates $625 million in federal funding to help 11 cities across the United States host the World Cup next July.
Democratic Missouri Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, another Kansas City area congressman, has also claimed responsibility for securing the federal dollars within Trumps sweeping bill. Despite his previous opposition to the bill, which he described as "morally reprehensible and supremely sinful," Cleaver has expressed satisfaction with the secured funding.
Similarly, Democratic Missouri Rep. Wesley Bell, who had argued that the budget package would be cruel and devastating for his constituents, has praised the reauthorization and largest expansion to-date of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) within Republicans budget package. This provision, a long-sought priority of Republican Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, would allow Americans living in certain zip codes, including those in Bells St. Louis, Missouri district, to be eligible for compensation if exposed to nuclear waste.
Despite his initial opposition, Bell attended an event in St. Louis with Hawley celebrating the reauthorization and expansion of a fund for nuclear radiation victims within the Trump-backed bill. When asked about his no vote, Bell responded, Youre not going to always get everything you want. And so there are some concerns and issues that many of us have with this budgetary bill, but at the same time, the folks who have been waiting a long time for compensation, to be acknowledged for their pain and suffering thats one thing that I can rejoice in.
This statement marked a significant departure from Bell's previous criticism of the bill. Despite his initial condemnation, Bell has continued to tacitly claim credit for the RECA expansion, stating, For folks in North St. Louis, compensation for nuclear radiation exposure is long overdue. Ive said this since day one: I will not stop fighting until every family is compensated for their suffering.
While some Democrats are beginning to acknowledge the potential benefits of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," their initial opposition and subsequent shift in stance raises questions about the political maneuvering at play. As the impact of the bill continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how these lawmakers will navigate their changing positions.
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