As Senate Republicans push to advance President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, public sentiment appears largely negative towards the extensive tax-and-spending proposals outlined in the legislation, according to a recent Washington Post-Ipsos poll. The survey revealed that 42 percent of Americans oppose the bill, while only 23 percent support it, and 34 percent remain undecided. Notably, the Republican majority in the House narrowly approved the bill this past May.
Support for the act skews along party lines, with 49 percent of Republicans backing the legislation contrasted sharply with just 13 percent of Republicans opposed to it. In contrast, about 75 percent of Democrats reject the proposals. Among independents, opposition stands at 40 percent, with only 17 percent in support.
As Senate Republicans race against the clock to finalize their version of the bill by President Trump’s deadline of July 4, they have made efforts to emphasize its potential economic advantages. However, awareness of the legislation is low; around two-thirds of respondents report having heard little to nothing about it. Among those who are informed, opposition grows stronger, illustrating that opposition may widen as understanding increases.
Opinions diverge significantly on the bill’s individual components. While 72 percent favor an increase in the child tax credit from $2,000 to $2,500, cuts to federal food assistance programs and spending on migrant detention centers are met with considerable disapproval—66 percent and 61 percent, respectively—reflecting concerns over the impacts on low-income households.
Prominent among the contentious elements are proposed cuts to entitlement programs such as Medicaid and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), aimed at offsetting the costs of the administration’s favored initiatives. Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Josh Hawley have raised alarms regarding the negative repercussions these cuts could have on healthcare access in rural areas.
The poll also illuminated a nuanced view towards work requirements for Medicaid recipients, with 52 percent supporting the notion that low-income childless adults should demonstrate employment or disability status to qualify. However, nearly half of respondents found the prospect of millions losing coverage unacceptable, signaling potential challenges ahead for Senate Republicans in promoting the bill.
Moreover, there is significant bipartisan support (nearly 70 percent) for increasing taxes on high earners, which contrasts with the GOP’s current legislative approach. GOP leaders assert that the bill will ultimately help reduce the national debt, even though the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates a $3 trillion increase over the next decade, a figure that 63 percent of the public considers unacceptable.
Despite the headwinds, Republican leadership maintains determination, framing the bill’s success as crucial. As the Senate approaches critical discussions, these polling insights may continue to shape the dialogue surrounding the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
This situation highlights the complexities of national policy-making, where the interplay of political priorities, public opinion, and economic realities will challenge lawmakers.