Why the Big Bill is Anything but Beautiful

On July 4, 2025, the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” passed by Congress was signed into law. This is a massive federal spending package that, despite its shiny name, threatens the health, safety, and futures of millions of people across the country, including LGBTQ+ communities.

At Rocky Mountain Equality Action Fund, we work every day to protect and uplift our communities. And we want to be clear: this bill is not something to celebrate. While we are relieved that some of the most dangerous proposals targeting transgender people were cut from the final version, what did become law is deeply concerning.

Here’s a breakdown of what was included and how funding will change over the next 10 years; however, many won’t feel the effects of these changes until after the midterm elections in 2026.

Cuts That Hurt the Most Vulnerable

• $1 trillion will be cut from Medicaid, and $186 billion will be cut from SNAP (food assistance), resulting in 11.8 million losing health coverage and 3 million SNAP losses by 2034. These programs are lifelines for low-income families, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and rural communities.

• Planned Parenthood was defunded for one year—including critical services they provide to women and LGBTQ+ people.

Tax Breaks for the Wealthy, Not for Us

• The bill makes the 2017 Trump-era tax cuts permanent, handing the richest Americans a $3.7 trillion tax break over the next decade.

• While it raises the standard deduction and increases the child tax credit slightly, these changes don’t come close to offsetting what low- and middle-income families lose.

• People making under $58K per year will lose money on average as a result of this bill.

Rollbacks on Climate and Infrastructure

• Approximately $500 billion in cuts to clean energy investments by ending incentives for low-carbon projects, restricting green infrastructure, and tightening eligibility for funding.

• The $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles was repealed, which will slow our country’s shift toward sustainable transportation.

Increased Funding for Military and Anti-Immigrant Programs

• $153 billion increase in military spending, including $25 billion for a new “Golden Dome” missile defense system.

• $150 billion boost in border enforcement: completing the wall, increasing deportations, expanding ICE, and building more detention centers.

What Didn’t Make It In

Thanks to massive public outcry and advocacy—including from trans leaders, youth, and community organizations—some of the most dangerous provisions were removed from the final bill. These include:

• A ban on gender-affirming care through Medicaid and CHIP.

• Removing gender-affirming care as an “Essential Health Benefit” under the Affordable Care Act.

• Removing funding for ACA plans that cover abortion.

• A proposal that would have allowed the Treasury Secretary to strip nonprofits of tax-exempt status if labeled “terrorist-supporting” which meant any organization that opposes the actions of the administration could be targeted by this vague and dangerous provision.

• And even a proposal to sell off millions of acres of public lands, including in Colorado.

The Bottom Line

Let’s be honest: the “Big Beautiful Bill” is a disaster for many of the people who already face the most barriers in this country. It gives handouts to billionaires, undercuts access to healthcare, attacks reproductive freedom, and doubles down on surveillance and enforcement—while gutting investments in communities and our planet.

We’re grateful that some of the terrible proposals originally included were removed. But that doesn’t make this bill “beautiful.” It makes it dangerous, especially for people who are already marginalized.

Rocky Mountain Equality Action Fund will continue fighting for a world where healthcare, safety, dignity, and opportunity are for everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected. And we’ll keep holding our elected officials accountable for the harm they do, no matter what they call their bills.