Entertainment icon Bette Midler has drawn attention to a major tax and policy bill moving through the Senate. The bill contains hundreds of provisions that would change how Americans pay taxes and receive government benefits. According to analysis from the Congressional Budget Office, the legislation would add more than $3 trillion to the national debt over 10 years.
The bill includes significant tax cuts for wealthy Americans and businesses. It would permanently extend lower tax rates and increase the standard deduction. The child tax credit would rise to $2,200 permanently. Business owners would keep a 20% deduction on their income. These tax changes alone would cost over $7 trillion.
Midler shared a New York Times analysis of the bill with her followers, writing “SCREW THE LITTLE GUY, BUT PLENTY FOR PRISONS.” Her post highlighted how the bill would cut programs that help low-income families while increasing spending on immigration enforcement and detention.
Massive cuts to healthcare and food programs hit the hardest
The bill would make deep cuts to Medicaid, the health insurance program for low-income Americans. New work requirements would force adults to work 80 hours per month to keep their coverage. States would have to check eligibility every six months instead of once a year. These changes would save the government $317 billion from work requirements alone.
Food assistance programs would also face major reductions. The bill would require states to pay more to run food stamp programs. It would limit how benefit amounts are calculated and expand work requirements. These food program changes would save $187 billion over 10 years.
I want to know which GOP senators want to remove: no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no Medicaid and Medicare for illegals, etc., in @POTUS Big Bill. These Senators are HIDING behind the Senate Parliamentarian. Name them! #gopsenate #BigBeautifulBill
— Toni (@TMS_2016) June 27, 2025
Healthcare cuts extend beyond Medicaid. The bill would eliminate premium tax credits that help people buy insurance under the Affordable Care Act. It would also limit eligibility for various health programs to only green card holders and certain immigrants, cutting coverage for others who are legally in the country.
Immigration enforcement gets huge funding boost
While cutting social programs, the bill dramatically increases spending on immigration enforcement. Border security would receive $171 billion in new funding. This includes $45 billion each for expanding immigrant detention facilities and building border barriers. Immigration and Customs Enforcement would get $31 billion for hiring and operations.
The legislation also creates new fees for immigrants. People caught crossing the border illegally would pay at least $5,000. Asylum seekers would pay $100 to apply and another $100 each year while waiting. Work permit applications would cost $550, with an additional $275 to renew them.
Defense spending would increase by $147 billion under the bill. The money would fund shipbuilding, weapons production, and military readiness programs. The bill also includes $53 billion for agricultural programs and $23 billion for Coast Guard operations. However, it would eliminate many clean energy tax credits, saving $553 billion by ending electric vehicle rebates and solar panel incentives.
