ICYMI: Rep. Rob Wittman cuts through the lies on the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”
Republican Rep. Rob Wittman cut through Democrats’ lies on the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” in his latest op-ed.
Rep. Wittman makes it clear that his vote for the bill is a vote to protect and preserve Medicaid and SNAP as well as lower taxes on hardworking Virginians.
Read the full op-ed from Rep. Wittman here or excerpts below:
Column: Voting for spending bill kept my word to Virginians
The Virginian-Pilot
Rep. Rob Wittman
June 12, 2025
The Virginian-Pilot & Daily Press Editorial Board recently accused me of selling out my constituents by voting for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“A predictable betrayal,” Our Views, May 23). That couldn’t be further from the truth. Let me set the record straight: I kept my word. I fought for Virginians, and I voted to protect working families, strengthen our safety net, and invest in national security and economic opportunity.
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Despite widespread misinformation, this bill does not cut Medicaid for anyone who truly needs it. What it does is secure and strengthen the program for the long haul. It ends enrollment for the deceased and those without legal status or verifiable identities. It requires states to confirm eligibility every six months — a basic accountability measure most Americans assumed was already happening.
It also establishes community engagement requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents. And I want to be clear: This does not apply to pregnant women, foster youth, people with disabilities or caregivers. The requirement — 80 hours a month of work, volunteering or job training — is about promoting independence. A job is the first step toward opportunity. These are common-sense reforms that preserve Medicaid for the people who rely on it most.
Here’s why it matters: In fiscal year 2023, the federal government made more than $50 billion in improper Medicaid payments. That’s 8.58% of all program spending. We cannot allow fraud and ineligibility to undermine a lifeline for those in need. This bill saves Medicaid by fixing what’s broken — not taking a dime from those who qualify.
I also fought to preserve nutritional assistance for families who need help putting food on the table. The bill’s changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) include the same work requirement framework as Medicaid — with broad exemptions and a path toward greater self-sufficiency. Again, this is about helping people graduate from government assistance, not expanding dependence. And it gives states a role in funding and oversight — which increases accountability and reduces misuse.
On the economic front, the bill extends tax relief for middle-class families and small businesses. For a family of four in my district, that’s an estimated $2,300 in annual savings — three months of groceries. That’s real help at a time when inflation continues to squeeze household budgets.
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That’s not betrayal. That’s doing my job.