Lubbock Congressman Pushes ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Forward

Highlighting what he calls “historic conservative reforms,” House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX‑19) delivered remarks on the House floor this week, urging the Senate to move quickly on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Arrington stated:

There’s a lot of noise in Washington right now about the One Big Beautiful Bill. The reality is that this transformative package includes historic tax cuts, record investment in border and national security, and unlocks American energy dominance — accomplishing all of this while reducing spending by $1.7 trillion, the largest spending reform package in American history by two‑fold

Co-sponsored by August Pfluger (TX‑11), the act sailed through the House on May 22 by a narrow 215–214 vote. But momentum must now shift to the Senate, where the bill faces critical scrutiny.

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What’s in the Bill?

• Permanently extends 2017 Trump-era tax cuts and implements new tax incentives, including exemptions on tips, overtime pay, and car-loan interest 
• Raises the Child Tax Credit to $2,500 per family through 2028, expanding help for working households 
• Allocates nearly $150 billion toward military modernization, $46 billion for border wall completion, and hires 18,000 new agents to bolster immigration enforcement.

Critics Raise Concerns

Yet, divisive elements of the bill have drawn sharp rebukes. Non‑partisan projections warn it could swell the national deficit by nearly $2.6 trillion or more over the next decade. Elon Musk has labeled it a “disgusting abomination” due to its size and deficit impact

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Senators from both wings of the GOP are voicing concerns. Fiscal hawks demand deeper spending cuts, while moderates highlight potential negative impacts on Medicaid and SNAP. Senate Majority Leader John Thune is working to balance conflicting pressures before a self‑imposed July 4 deadline

Why It Matters to Lubbock

For residents in Arrington’s West Texas district, the stakes are local. Permanent tax relief and military investment signal economic affirmation for households and regional defense contractors. Conversely, budget experts warn of looming deficits that could trigger future austerity measures and impact federal services.

Next Steps

While the House has delivered, Lubbock now watches as the Senate debates intricate amendments and financial trade-offs. With Arrington and Pfluger calling on Washington to “seize this moment,” the question is whether the Senate will follow suit — and when.

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Until then, Lubbock remains tuned in, aware that the outcome could echo in paycheck levels, local economies, and national security posture.