Trump's 'grand' legislation measures commence operation
On July 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed into law the highly anticipated tax and spending cuts bill, commonly known as the "big, beautiful bill." The legislation, which marks the first major legislative achievement of Trump's second term, primarily focuses on making permanent many of the tax cuts from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).
The bill, which notches an ambitious timeline, follows a series of events that began with the House passing a budget resolution to start the reconciliation process on February 25, 2025, and the Senate passing its budget resolution on February 21, 2025.
**Key Provisions**
The bill primarily extends most of the 2017 TCJA tax cuts, resulting in an estimated $4.5 trillion decrease in federal tax revenue from 2025 through 2034, with an expected 1.1% increase in long-run GDP.
However, the bill also enacts significant cuts to healthcare and nutrition programs. The bill imposes steep cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, i.e., food stamps). These cuts are part of measures aimed at partially offsetting the cost of the tax cuts. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill could add $3.4 trillion to federal deficits over the next decade and leave millions without health insurance due to the Medicaid cuts, although Republicans and the White House dispute these forecasts.
Despite the bill's focus on tax cuts and spending adjustments, there is no specific or detailed information about provisions directly affecting student loans, suggesting that the legislation does not include major changes or relief measures related to student loans.
**Timeline**
The House passed a budget resolution to start the reconciliation process on February 25, 2025, laying the framework for the tax cuts and spending adjustments over the next decade. The Senate passed its budget resolution on February 21, 2025, which did not permit any tax cuts itself but was part of the process. The final spending and tax bill was passed by Congress and signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025, making the tax cuts permanent and implementing the spending changes.
**Impact**
The bill beefs up funding for defense, border control, and immigration enforcement, but it has also met with consternation within the GOP over its impact on the federal deficit and certain government programs. Democrats have opposed the bill, raising concerns about its potential impact on healthcare, education, and the economy.
The details about when these food stamp program changes will take effect have not been specified. However, key parts of the bill, including new work requirements and increased eligibility checks for Medicaid, are set to kick in in the lead up to the 2028 presidential election. One month before the midterm elections in 2022, a provision limiting Medicaid eligibility for immigrants will set in.
The US Department of Agriculture will issue a memorandum to states about implementing the law, including expanding the work requirement to recipients ages 55 to 64 and to parents of children older than 13. The memorandum will also address the limitation of the eligibility of certain legal immigrants in the food stamp program.
**Table of Provisions**
| Aspect | Details | Timeline | |-------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------| | Tax Cuts | Permanently extend most of 2017 TCJA tax cuts, reducing revenue by $4.5 trillion (2025–2034) | Legislative process mostly in early 2025, signed July 4, 2025 | | Medicaid | Significant cuts reducing eligibility and benefits, potentially leaving millions uninsured | Implemented following July 4, 2025 enactment | | Food Stamps (SNAP) | Significant cuts to the program to help offset tax cut costs | Implemented from 2025 onwards | | Student Loans | No major provisions affecting student loans documented in this bill | N/A |
[1] "Trump signs tax and spending bill into law," The Hill, July 4, 2025. [2] "The big, beautiful bill: What's in the tax and spending cuts legislation?" The Washington Post, July 4, 2025. [3] "The tax and spending cuts bill: What's in it for you?" Forbes, July 4, 2025.
- The "big, beautiful bill" signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025, has stirred debate in the realm of politics, as it enacts significant cuts to healthcare and nutrition programs, such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), while primarily extending tax cuts from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
- Constituents can follow the progress of policy-and-legislation regarding the food stamp program, as the US Department of Agriculture will issue a memorandum to states about implementing the law, including expanding work requirements and limiting eligibility for certain legal immigrants in the program.
