One Big Beautiful Bill means more hunger and pain in Tri-Cities | Opinion
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Reconciliation bill cuts health care, food aid for millions of Americans.
- Faith leaders condemn legislation for promoting greed over social support.
- Local voices urge continued funding for science and civic voter engagement.
BBB Bill is not so beautiful to reader
After passage of President Trump’s reconciliation bill, officially titled the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” Speaker Mike Johnson posted a Bible verse on his social media from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians.
This passage reads: “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” Johnson referring to the reconciliation bill was out of context with the apostle sharing the good news about Jesus Christ and the chance to be reconciled to God. Johnson added his own commentary on this passage, in Latin, which translates, “glory to God alone.”
It took real chutzpah for Johnson to apply Paul’s words to a law that will likely lead to millions of Americans losing health care and nutrition assistance. Esau McCaulley, in the New York Times, states that “in a rare moment of Christian ecumenism, church leaders have criticized Trump’s signature legislation for the ravenous greed at the core, that threatens to devour the poor.”
The National Baptist Convention, a historical Black domination representing millions of members, supported its argument against the bill by citing Psalm 82.3, which reads, “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the needy.”
Mickey Beary, Richland
GOP law means illness, poverty
Republican voters have ushered us into what likely will be decades of increased poverty and illness. Many of the elderly in our families will no longer be able to live independently. Republican lawmakers count on them going back to work, even though they are physically unable.
Trump’s budget cuts health care to upwards of 16 million people. Food insecurity will increase without SNAP. Educational outcomes will decline.
America doesn’t have so much a racial divide as it has a class divide. Lobbyists and a compliant Supreme Court gave control of our government to the richest 1%. We must pass laws that overturn the effects of the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling.
Trump is in serious mental decline, as evidenced by his language and reasoning inabilities.
Trump is an ineffective, ignorant puppet. He didn’t have any of these Project 2025 ideas in his head when he first ran for office. He is a shill for the oligarchs.
Trump should have been prosecuted for many more felonies but for his election. Now, he raises prices on goods from Brazil (a 50% tariff) to help free his similarly corrupt crony, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Is Trump thinking of the United States’ best interests?
Ivar Husa, Richland
She hopes budget boosts can endure
Dear Rep. Dan Newhouse:
I vote in every election and voted for you in 2024. I am a frequent caller and writer to you. I am a member of Friends of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and have been writing letters to you and the Tri-City Herald about PNNL cuts. I have sent flyers on social media. I’ve worked with other Friends of PNNL to get press coverage.
I have been encouraged by the increased budget numbers for the Office of Science from the subcommittee on Energy and Water. The bill is now with the full committee.
Rep. Newhouse, seeing those PNNL budget numbers increase makes me feel like you heard us. I think that you helped make this happen for your constituents in the Tri-Cities. I thank you very much.
Now I ask you to please see this through the House and help get the budget passed. We would like to see even higher numbers if possible, back to 2024 levels.
Thanks for listening to Friends of PNNL and to my many friends who contacted your office.
In a time of turmoil, it is good to hold on to hope.
Pamela Gaudet, Pasco
VOTE 2025 to empower voters
League of Women Voters of Benton and Franklin Counties and Northwest Public Broadcasting, NWPB Vote, bring you the 2025 Primary Candidate Forums. Featured are those races where three or more candidates filed.
All three of the one-hour shows will be available on KTNW-TV 31.1 (schedule below) and through links on YouTube, the League’s website/FB and via partner sites like City of Richland and Columbia Basin Badger Club.
Kennewick City Council
TV: 7/19-7pm;7/26-4pm; 8/3-7pm; 8/4-4pm
Kennewick School Board & Richland City Council School Board
TV: 7/24-4pm; 7/27-7pm; 8/2-4pm & 7pm
Richland City Council
TV: 7/19-4pm; 7/20-7pm; 7/26-7pm; 7/31-4pm
Beverly Johnson-Torelli, Kennewick
LWV of Benton and Franklin Counties