New Hampshire Democrats Blast Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ as Costly Betrayal

MANCHESTER, N.H. – New Hampshire’s Democratic congressional delegation is rallying against President Donald Trump’s sweeping new law, dubbed the big, beautiful bill, which they claim betrays the American people. The legislation, signed into law recently, is packed with tax cuts, immigration reforms, and changes to social safety nets, but it’s sparking fierce debate in this swing state.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a veteran of Granite State politics, didn’t mince words, calling the bill a grand betrayal that prioritizes corporate interests over everyday Americans. She argues the $3.4 trillion package, which extends Trump’s 2017 tax cuts and eliminates taxes on tips and overtime pay, will balloon the national debt by $4 trillion over the next decade.

Sen. Maggie Hassan echoed the sentiment, labeling the bill immoral and impractical. In a fiery critique, she pointed out that the measure’s razor-thin passage in Congress reveals its divisive nature, with Democrats nearly united in opposition. Rep. Chris Pappas, facing a tough midterm race, called it a disaster, warning that it will hit working families hardest.

First-term Rep. Maggie Goodlander went further, highlighting the bill’s impact on New Hampshire’s cost-of-living crisis. This legislation jacks up costs for thousands across our state, she told reporters at Waypoint, a community-based care organization where three-quarters of clients rely on Medicaid. The bill’s restructuring of Medicaid, including new work requirements, and cuts to food stamps have drawn sharp criticism from Democrats as a cruel offset for tax breaks favoring the wealthy.

The delegation’s united front in Manchester signals a broader mobilization among New Hampshire voters. Our offices are flooded with calls from Republicans, independents, and Democrats alike, all furious about this bill, Hassan noted. Yet, with Republicans controlling Congress and the White House, Democrats face an uphill battle to block Trump’s second-term agenda.

Local progressive activists are growing restless, urging bolder action. One anonymous activist quipped, If Democrats can’t throw sand in the gears, they might as well start selling beachfront property in Concord. Another lamented that the party isn’t channeling the bold vision of figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders, leaving many progressives feeling unrepresented.

Republicans, meanwhile, are doubling down, accusing Democrats like Pappas of supporting the largest tax hike in history by opposing the bill’s tax cuts. The National Republican Congressional Committee vows to make this vote a defining issue in the 2026 midterms. Pappas countered, I’m for tax relief that helps working people and small businesses, not billionaires.

As the fight shifts to the campaign trail, Democrats see an opportunity. Goodlander, already eyeing her 2026 re-election, declared, This bill will be front and center on the ballot, because it’s fueling a cost crisis for families. With both sides digging in, New Hampshire’s political battleground is heating up.