Trump’s Legislative Push: The One Big Beautiful Bill
Otto von Bismarck, Germany’s first Prime Minister, once remarked that “the law is like sausages. It’s best not to see them being made.” This sentiment captures President Trump’s current legislative endeavor, dubbed the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB).
Unlike many other laws, this one warrants close examination. Yet, mainstream media appears more captivated by superficial headlines about salt deduction clashes and Medicaid work requirements. What often gets overlooked, however, is a much larger issue: the dismantling of climate spending tied to the Inflation Reduction Act. Trump aptly labels it the “green new scam.”
OBBB isn’t without its flaws, but it’s the best opportunity conservatives have to dismantle these so-called green initiatives, secure Trump’s tax cuts, and stabilize American finances.
Representative Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) recently highlighted in a Wall Street Journal Op-Ed that OBBB has curbed “the most reckless components of climate spending,” reclaiming $6.5 billion in unused funds. However, those figures barely scratch the surface.
Goldman Sachs estimates the total climate spending associated with the Inflation Reduction Act is around $1.2 trillion. According to an AI tool named Grok, most of the initial OBBB version would leave much of that intact.
By 2024, about $140 billion of that $1.2 trillion had already been spent. As I mentioned elsewhere, another $140 billion has been pledged but remains unpaid. The Trump administration is currently engaged in court battles to prevent these funds from being utilized.
The most alarming takeaway from Grok’s analysis is the prediction that a new green fraud fund, estimated between $700 to $900 billion, would remain untouched in the original OBBB proposal. That’s a significant discrepancy from Guthrie’s $6.5 billion figure.
Thankfully, the House Freedom Caucus has stood firm.
Led by Chip Roy (R-Texas), they insisted on a bill that reflects Trump’s campaign promise to eliminate the green new fraud. Roy emphasized on social media, “We need to pass an OBBB that not only provides $350 million in tax relief to states but also completely ends these green scams and addresses Medicaid fund misuse.”
He further pointed out that “writing blank checks (like salt deductions) is easier than making actual spending cuts,” calling out Congress for their usual shortcuts, which many can’t afford.
Roy has a point. And while not entirely successful, the Freedom Caucus did secure a notable win.
On May 22, the House passed OBBB by a narrow margin of 215-214. Thanks to the Freedom Caucus, the bill aims to eliminate around $500 billion in what they term as wasteful green spending. They stripped away nearly half of the untouched funds. The next stop for the bill is the Senate, where its future is uncertain.
What makes OBBB particularly strategic is its passage method. Similar to previous inflation adjustment strategies, it leverages budget reconciliation to sidestep filibusters, necessitating only a simple majority. This means what was once solely Democrat spending can now be rolled back by Republicans.
It’s almost poetic in a way. Some view it as the only realistic path. The settlement allows for this legislative reversal—even though many might still prefer subsidized climate initiatives.
However, OBBB’s most crucial aspect isn’t just the elimination of waste but rather fostering economic growth.
This bill aims to make Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent. Over the next decade, this could translate to around $4 trillion, preventing an average $1,700 annual tax hike for typical American families.
Republicans who oppose OBBB may be putting Democrats at risk of tax hikes themselves, potentially jeopardizing their positions in 2026. This includes the green fraud subsidies and moderates pushing for tougher fiscal policies while seeming to ignore complete abolition.
What distinguishes this situation? Pro-subsidy Republicans previously did not support these climate initiatives. Yet now they seem ready to contest any attempts to preserve them.
A member of the Freedom Caucus expressed hope that the Senate can more carefully govern the new green fraud fund. Perhaps, but I’m not holding my breath.
Returning to Bismarck: while laws might resemble sausage-making—often messy—there’s a potential for them to taste pretty good, if crafted properly. While OBBB isn’t flawless, it remains the best shot conservatives have to address green scams, ensure Trump’s tax cuts endure, and strengthen U.S. finances.
