Senator Thom Tillis Criticizes GOP Budget Bill and Trump’s Support
In a surprising move shortly after announcing his retirement, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) publicly criticized his party’s budget proposal and took aim at President Donald Trump’s endorsement of it.
The legislation, referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, has been contentious due to its proposed reductions to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), changes that could potentially lead to 11.8 million Americans losing their health insurance coverage.
Tillis passionately addressed the president in a late-night Senate floor speech, stating, “I am telling the president that you have been misinformed. You supporting the Senate [bill] will hurt people who are eligible and qualified for Medicaid.”
The bill aims to cut trillions in discretionary spending, reallocating funds towards tax reductions for affluent individuals and large corporations. Significant health care changes include stricter work requirements for Medicaid recipients, restrictions on state Medicaid funding, and the cessation of tax credits aiding citizens in purchasing private health insurance.
Senator Tillis stood as one of only two Republicans in the Senate to oppose the bill’s advancement. He declared his decision not to seek reelection the following day, suggesting that anticipated political backlash from the bill’s potential enactment influenced his choice.
Approximately 3 million residents in North Carolina are Medicaid beneficiaries. President Trump has repeatedly promised not to endorse Medicaid cuts.
In his speech, Tillis posed a poignant question, “What do I tell 663,000 people, in two years or three years, when President Donald Trump breaks his promise by pushing them off Medicaid? Republicans are about to make a mistake.”
The Senate is poised to pass the bill later in the week, after which it will be sent back to the House for additional revisions. Although the initial plan was for President Trump to sign the bill by July 4, the timeline has been adjusted to July 7.
With Tillis not running for reelection, several Republican figures, including Rep. Tim Moore, Rep. Richard Hudson, and Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law, have expressed interest in his Senate seat.
On the Democratic front, former Rep. Wiley Nickel is currently the most prominent candidate, with speculation that former Governor Roy Cooper may enter the race.
In a statement, Nickel commented, “No matter which MAGA loyalist Donald Trump hand-picks to run in North Carolina, I’m the Democrat who’s ready to take them on and win. North Carolinians are independent-minded and won’t be fooled by extremists pushing an agenda that puts billionaires first and working families last.”
Tillis’ recent focus on health care marks a significant shift from his previous stance. He has historically opposed Medicaid expansion under the ACA and has consistently voted to repeal the law.
According to The Cook Political Report, the election for Tillis’ replacement is currently classified as a “toss up.”
