WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a dramatic and deeply divided vote on Tuesday, Vice President Vance cast the decisive ballot to pass the sweeping reconciliation measure known as H.R. 1, or the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, through the U.S. Senate. The final vote split evenly at 50–50, underscoring the sharp partisan rift over the bill’s far-reaching implications.
Among those breaking from party lines was U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), who delivered an emphatic rejection of the legislation. In a strongly worded statement following the vote, Fetterman warned of what he characterized as devastating consequences for working families and vulnerable communities.
“Millions thrown off health care? Hungry kids denied food? Huge tax cuts for billionaires? National debt headed for $40 trillion? This bill is a disaster, which is why I voted HELL NO. The GOP will own the consequences,” Fetterman declared.
Over the course of a marathon 26-hour voting session, Fetterman joined his Democratic colleagues in proposing dozens of amendments aimed at softening the bill’s impact on low- and middle-income Americans. Despite these efforts, the bill moved forward without significant changes.
According to Fetterman’s office, the legislation would add more than $4 trillion to the national debt, a move projected to increase average mortgage payments by nearly $1,000 annually and raise small-business loan costs by over $800. In Pennsylvania alone, roughly 450,000 residents stand to lose their health insurance coverage, with additional strain placed on over 300 rural hospitals and 500 nursing homes nationwide.
The bill also proposes cuts of $930 billion from Medicaid, a measure that could directly affect the 39% of Pennsylvania’s children who rely on Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Concerns extend beyond health care. Food assistance advocates warn that the bill threatens to raise grocery costs for 40 million Americans and undermine the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians.
“My colleagues on the other side of the aisle wrote and passed this 940-page bill without giving us time to read it,” Fetterman added. “I’ll keep fighting to protect health care, defend nutrition assistance, block giveaways for billionaires, and prevent trillions more added to our national debt.”
Looking ahead, Fetterman expressed hope that the House of Representatives might intervene to stop the legislation. “This bill is now in the hands of my colleagues in the House, where hopefully a handful of Republicans will put their constituents before campaign donors and shut this down,” he said.
At the time of publication, the bill awaits consideration in the House, where its prospects remain uncertain.
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