Impacts of the Big Bill
This page highlights the mostly catastrophic effects of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" while noting a few silver linings and areas where worst-case outcomes were avoided. Detailed pages on each theme will follow.
Transportation
- New Highway Trust Fund revenues are not reserved for mass transit, reducing potential support for subway, bus, and commuter rail projects.
- No direct provisions for Amtrak or intercity bus service, signaling a focus on roads.
- Neighborhood Access and Equity grants are repealed, limiting federal help for bike lanes and traffic safety programs.
Accessibility
- Programs like NLS BARD are not specifically addressed, but overall domestic spending cuts may tighten future budgets.
- A proposed ban on local AI regulation was dropped, so cities and states remain free to set their own rules.
Clean Energy
- Tax credits for solar, wind, and geothermal projects phase out after 2026.
- Electric vehicle purchase credits end in 2025; charging infrastructure credits expire in 2026.
- More oil and gas leasing on federal lands; little new support for nuclear research.
Space Exploration
- $10 billion directed to Mars missions and funding to de-orbit the ISS at end of life.
- No new allocations for the Artemis Moon program or space telescopes.
Parks and Land Use
- Public land sales proposal was removed, but regular oil and gas lease sales are required.
- $40 million provided to establish a National Garden of American Heroes.
City and State Impacts
- Municipal bond tax exemption preserved; Low-Income Housing Tax Credit expanded.
- States shoulder more Medicaid and SNAP costs, potentially straining budgets.
- SALT deduction cap temporarily raised to $40,000.
Immigration and Border Security
- Higher fees for work visas and a new 1% tax on remittances leaving the U.S.
- Major increases for border wall construction, detention beds, and enforcement staff.
- New fees for asylum and humanitarian applications may discourage filings.
International Context
- Defense spending boost supports commitments such as aid to Ukraine and Indo-Pacific security.
- Repeal of the de minimis tariff rule imposes duties on low-value imports.
- Scaling back clean-energy incentives may undermine global climate efforts.
Fiscal Outlook
- Extends 2017 tax cuts, lowering federal revenue.
- Projected to add roughly $3 trillion to the national debt over ten years.
- Moody's downgraded the U.S. credit rating amid concerns about rising deficits.
For now, this overview collects the major impacts in one place. Additional pages will examine each category in depth.