Tenney cheers passage of mega bill while Morelle calls legislation ‘heartless’
Two Congressional members have strongly differing views on the mega-bill that gained final passage in the House of Representatives in a 218-214 vote.
All Democrats opposed it, with two Republicans also casting votes against the legislation.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), a Republican, issued this statement on Thursday:
“Today, House Republicans kept our promise to the American people by passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This historic legislation restores and builds on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which I voted for in 2017, by locking in the Trump Tax Cuts. The bill provides a significant tax cut to lower-income seniors who are collecting the Social Security they have earned through a lifetime of hard work, while also eliminating taxes on tips and overtime. This bill not only lowers taxes for working families but also provides tax incentives for small businesses and family farms. It prevents the largest tax hike in American history, delivers an average $1,300 tax cut, and paves the way for a nearly $14,700 increase in take-home pay for New York families.”
“This legislation protects our farmers and small businesses by preserving the small business pass-through deduction and 100% immediate capital expensing, which are tools that will empower investment and drive economic growth across NY-24. This bill will secure our borders by funding ICE and CBP, finishing the wall, and ending taxpayer-funded benefits like Medicaid for illegal immigrants. This bill will also unleash American energy and end our reliance on foreign sources of energy while lowering costs for consumers and businesses.
“The One Big Beautiful Bill also includes many stand-alone bills that I championed, including H.R. 1103, the New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act, and H.R. 1752, the Technology for Energy Security Act. The New Markets Tax Credit fosters private investments into economically distressed communities, particularly in rural areas, and has led to billions of dollars in investments into rural communities like NY-24. The Technology for Energy Security Act extends the credit for fuel cells and linear generators, helping to solidify America’s role as the leading manufacturer of these emerging technologies.
“The One Big Beautiful Bill restores economic freedom, strengthens our national security, and puts hardworking Americans first. This is a major victory for the American people and a significant step in restoring prosperity, security, and strength for all Americans across our great nation.”
Congressman Joe Morelle (NY-25), a Democrat from Rochester, released the following statement:
“House Republicans have forced through the most damaging and heartless piece of legislation in generations—a betrayal of the people we are elected to serve.
“This bill will strip health insurance from 17 million Americans and slash food assistance for nearly 3 million Americans, including 900,000 seniors. It includes the largest cut to Medicaid in U.S. history, defunds Planned Parenthood, and raises health insurance premiums for some New Yorkers by nearly $2,000. Meanwhile, it adds $3.3 trillion to the national deficit—all to fund tax breaks for Donald Trump’s billionaire friends.
“It’s not budgeting—it’s cruelty. These aren’t just numbers—they’re neighbors, families, and frontline workers trying to get ahead. This bill was never about helping working families; it was about rewarding the wealthy and well-connected at their expense.
“Like so many of you, I’m angry, frustrated, and deeply disappointed—but I am not done fighting. We are going to keep standing up for the American people.
“This fight isn’t over. Not by a long shot.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul issued this statement: “Today’s vote makes it official: all seven New York Republicans in Congress voted to rip health care away from 1.5 million New Yorkers and jeopardize SNAP benefits for nearly 3 million more. They had two chances to stand up to Donald Trump and fight for the people they serve. They failed both times, gambling with their constituents’ lives to pay for billionaire tax breaks.
“To the 48,000 New Yorkers set to lose their coverage in Rep. LaLota’s district, the 48,000 in Rep. Garbarino’s, the 52,000 in Rep. Malliotakis’, the 31,000 in Rep. Lawler’s, the 44,000 in Rep. Stefanik’s, the 35,000 in Rep. Langworthy’s, and the 31,000 in Rep. Tenney’s: your members of Congress may have given up on you, but I never will.
“As Governor, your family’s health and well-being is my top priority. And I will keep fighting every single day to shield you from the cruelty and chaos coming out of Washington.”
