Iowa’s House Republicans Back Trump’s $4.5T Tax and Spending Bill Amid Public Divide

Iowa’s four Republican members of the U.S. House voted Thursday in favor of President Donald Trump’s massive $4.5 trillion tax cuts and spending bill, just hours before the former president arrived in Des Moines for a public appearance. The move sends the legislation to Trump’s desk for signing, aiming to make it law before the July Fourth holiday weekend.

The bill, which includes sweeping tax relief and significant changes to Medicaid and green energy policy, has stirred both praise and concern across party lines and among constituents.

Representative Ashley Hinson of Marion praised the bill as a major win for working Iowans. She highlighted key benefits such as no federal tax on tips or overtime pay, an expanded Child Tax Credit of $2,200 per child, and a permanent 20% business income deduction for small businesses. Hinson also emphasized the bill’s provisions on border security and immigration enforcement.

“This transformative legislation enacts tax cuts for working Iowans, permanently secures the border, and strengthens Medicaid for vulnerable populations while rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse,” Hinson said in a statement.

Supporters also pointed to $6,000 in tax relief for seniors, new work requirements for able-bodied adults under 65, and a $50 billion fund to strengthen rural health care. The bill also boosts support for agriculture by increasing reference prices for corn and soybeans, expanding markets, and improving biofuel tax credits, key concerns for Iowa farmers.

Still, the bill has sparked sharp criticism from Democrats and nonpartisan analysts. They argue it disproportionately benefits the wealthy while cutting vital social safety net programs. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the legislation could add $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade. It also projects that 11.8 million Americans could lose health coverage, including over 113,000 Iowans.

The bill rolls back green energy tax incentives introduced under Democratic former President Joe Biden, which could hurt renewable projects in Iowa. Critics say these rollbacks, along with Medicaid restrictions, threaten hospitals and providers, particularly in rural areas.

Even some House Republicans who supported the bill initially expressed concern about Medicaid-related provisions in the final version. Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn joined others in urging changes, warning that deeper Medicaid cuts could destabilize healthcare access for vulnerable populations.

Nonetheless, the Iowa Republicans maintain that the bill protects core Medicaid services while closing loopholes and eliminating fraud. They argue it aligns with the priorities of conservative voters and positions Iowa to lead in agriculture, energy, and economic recovery.

As Trump touts the bill as a “big, beautiful” victory, polls show mixed public opinion. With support split across party lines, the debate over its impact, especially on health care, taxes, and the economy, is likely to continue well beyond the holiday weekend.