Catholic Bishops Trash Trump's Big Beautiful Bill Passing
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has spoken out against President Donald Trump's massive tax and spending package, saying it contains "unconscionable cuts to... programs that protect God's creation."
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio issued the statement after the budget bill passed Congress and headed to the President's desk. The bill is set to lead to deep cuts in Medicaid and food stamps, and give $170 billion to Trump's immigration policies.
Catholics are not the only faith group to speak out against this bill, with leaders from other Christian denominations as well as Jewish leaders voicing their opposition.
The White House has been contacted for comment via email.
Archbishop Timothy Broglio conducts an Easter Sunday Mass at Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, Sunday, April 12, 2020.
Archbishop Timothy Broglio conducts an Easter Sunday Mass at Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, Sunday, April 12, 2020.
Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo
Why It Matters
The budget bill will cause $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid, shutter rural hospitals, and give $45 billion towards the building of detention centers for immigrants.
The bill passed through Congress despite opposition from many Americans, with a number of surveys suggesting more than half of those polled were against it.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, has also called for compassionate treatment of immigrants and an end to global conflicts, as the Trump administration has pushed ahead with its hardline immigration policy.
What To Know
While the USCCB had backed elements of the bill "that promote the dignity of human life and support parental choice in education," it had urged lawmakers in a letter ahead of the vote "to make drastic changes to the provisions that will harm the poor and vulnerable."
Those changes were not made in either the Senate or House versions of the bill, prompting Archbishop Broglio to conclude: "The bill, as passed, will cause the greatest harm to those who are especially vulnerable in our society."
Vice President JD Vance, who speaks openly about his Catholic faith, cast the tie-breaking vote for the bill in the Senate.
He posted to X (formerly Twitter) about the bill: "Now we've delivered big tax cuts and the resources necessary to secure the border. Promises made, promises kept!"
In a letter sent to the Senate ahead of the vote, a coalition of Christian leaders warned that money put aside for mass deportations would "separate US families, harm US-citizen and immigrant children, and sow chaos in local communities."
Jewish leaders have also spoken out against the bill, with Rabbi Jill Jacobs, CEO of T'ruah, a human rights advocacy group, saying: "Today, we see the sins of Sodom being repeated in this bill, which is written from a place of arrogance, cruelty, and selfishness. We fear that, like Sodom, these sins will lead to our destruction."
Demonstrators protest prior to a news conference regarding the pending passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act at the Capitol, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Washington.
Demonstrators protest prior to a news conference regarding the pending passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act at the Capitol, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Washington.
Rod Lamkey, Jr./AP Photo
What People Are Saying
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio said: "The final version of the bill includes unconscionable cuts to healthcare and food assistance, tax cuts that increase inequality, immigration provisions that harm families and children, and cuts to programs that protect God's creation."
Rabbi Jill Jacobs, in an open letter, wrote: "This disaster of a bill threatens all Americans. This is no Big Beautiful Bill but rather a Big Bad Betrayal, with devastating costs to human life, freedom, and dignity...Elected officials have betrayed their constituents. We condemn the Members of Congress who voted for this disastrous budget."
President Donald Trump on Truth Social: "The Republicans in the House of Representatives have just passed the "ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT." Our Party is UNITED like never before and, our Country is "HOT."...Together, we can do things that were not even imagined possible less than one year ago. We will keep working, and winning — CONGRATULATIONS AMERICA!"
What Happens Next
Trump is set to sign the bill at 4 p.m. ET on Friday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
44 minutes ago
- The Hill
Hamas signals willingness to move forward with ceasefire
Hamas officials said Friday that they have responded to President Trump's 60-day ceasefire proposal in a 'positive' way but signaled more talks are needed. The move comes after Trump told reporters Thursday that he expected a response from the Palestinian militant group within '24 hours' about the agreement to temporarily pause its fight with Israel in the Gaza Strip. It is unclear if the statement means the ceasefire will be accepted, but the group told mediators it is 'seriously ready to enter immediately into a round of negotiations.' Their reply comes just hours after Israeli airstrikes killed 15 Palestinians in Gaza, while hospital officials said another 20 people died in shootings while seeking aid, according to The Associated Press. Hamas has sought guarantees from Israel that the truce would lead to the end of the nearly two-year war. The president for months has pushed both sides to agree to a ceasefire deal that would include the release of all remaining hostages — which were taken captive during the militant group's surprise attack on Oct. 7, 2023. The latest development comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to visit the White House next week for discussions. Trump earlier this week said Israel had agreed to the terms and urged Hamas to follow suit, warning that conditions could worsen the longer peace talks take. 'My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza. Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War,' the president wrote Tuesday on Truth Social. 'The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring Peace, will deliver this final proposal.' 'I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE,' he added. An official with knowledge of the talks told the AP that Hamas has requested several things before agreeing to a truce, including pulling back its military troops to pre-March positions — or where they were before a previous ceasefire was broken. The group also asked that humanitarian aid be able to flow uninterrupted into Gaza and that negotiations continue even past the 60-day period if needed to permanently end the war. The release of the remaining hostages would also be part of the deal, the official told the news wire. During his visit with Trump next week, Netanyahu said the war with Gaza would be on the agenda. The Israeli leader has said in previous rounds of peace talks that his mission of eradicating Hamas is still the goal. He's also commended the president for recent U.S. strikes in Iran that hit three enrichment facilities as the Trump administration pressures Iranian officials to dismantle its nuclear program. A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Tehran remains in place after days of back-and-forth airstrikes last month. The Associated Press contributed.
San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Photos of protests and celebrations mark a different Fourth of July for many Americans
The Fourth of July is a celebration of all things American with parades, backyard barbecues and the night sky lit up with fireworks. This Independence Day may feel different for many Americans. Around the country, there are protests planned against Trump's polices, and in places like Southern California, where immigration raids have rattled communities, some July Fourth celebrations were canceled. But beyond the festivities and protests lies a moment in history: On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, declaring the colonies' break from British rule. ___ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Florida tipped workers get new tax break under President Trump's "big, beautiful bill"
Tipped workers and hourly employees who rely on overtime are getting a new financial break, thanks to a budget measure signed into law by President Donald Trump. The newly signed bill, which Trump has dubbed his "big beautiful bill," allows tipped workers to deduct up to $25,000 a year in reported tips and lets all hourly employees deduct up to $12,500 in overtime earnings. The measures are aimed at easing the tax burden for service workers, particularly those in the restaurant and hospitality industry. How much tipped workers and overtime earners can deduct under new Trump-backed law "That's like 90% of my income right there," said bartender Hugo Llanos, referring to the tips he earns behind the bar. "A little bit more money on working people's pockets and it gives us an opportunity to enjoy our cities a little bit more," he added. According to a 2023 study by tips make up about 21% of a Florida restaurant worker's income. The same is true in other states, including Ohio, where visitor Hannah Soltay works as a server. She said the new tax break ensures that consumer generosity actually benefits the intended person. "It means more knowing that the money you meant for a person is actually going to the person," Soltay said. Llanos said the ability to deduct up to $25,000 in tips will be a welcome change. "Just based off my taxes last year I probably doubled that or tripled that," he said. A White House report released in May estimated that the average tipped worker could save just under $1,700 a year under the new provisions. However, the relief is temporary — both the tip and overtime deductions are set to expire in 2028 unless extended by future legislation.
