Democrats Warn GOP’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Will Cost Votes in 2026 Midterms

House Republicans are charging forward with President Donald Trump’s sweeping legislative package, dubbed the big, beautiful bill, a sprawling mix of tax cuts, immigration reforms, defense boosts, energy policy shifts, and debt limit tweaks. But Democrats, outnumbered in the House, are sounding alarms, predicting a voter backlash in the 2026 midterms. “Republicans will face consequences,” warned Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, in an exclusive interview.

With the GOP clinging to a fragile House majority, Democrats see a chance to flip just three seats to regain control. They’re zeroing in on the bill’s controversial Medicaid overhaul, which could strip coverage from an estimated 14 million Americans. “This is a heartless cut,” DelBene charged, highlighting new work requirements and regulatory hurdles tucked into the plan to offset Trump’s expiring 2017 tax cuts. “Families are scared,” she added, pointing to potential rural hospital closures and slashed nutrition programs.

Republicans, led by figures like Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, push back hard. They argue the changes root out waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicaid, ensuring it serves those truly in need. Hudson called Democratic claims of gutting aid to vulnerable groups a “flat-out lie,” accusing opponents of defending a system that allows misuse of funds. Trump himself, during a rare Capitol Hill visit, reportedly urged GOP lawmakers to tread carefully on Medicaid cuts, bluntly warning them not to “mess around” with the program.

Yet the divide is stark. Democrats frame the bill as a giveaway to the wealthy, funded by slashing healthcare for working families. Republicans insist they’re safeguarding taxpayer dollars and strengthening the system. As the bill inches toward a floor vote, both sides agree on one thing: this fight will echo on the campaign trail long after the votes are cast.