Politics & Government

'Victory For Middle-Class Taxpayers': Rep. Kean Votes In Favor Of 'Big Beautiful Bill'

The bill was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 218-214 on Thursday.

DISTRICT 7, NJ — President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, also known as the "Big Beautiful Bill," was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives with District 7 Congressman Tom Kean Jr. voting in favor of it.

Kean Jr. said the "bill marks a significant victory for middle-class taxpayers, protects health care for our most vulnerable populations, and combats waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs."

The bill passed on Thursday with a vote of 218-214 with two Republican dissenters. Read More: 'Big Beautiful Bill' Passed By House: What It Means In NJ

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The bill now goes to the desk of President Trump to be signed into law after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries made history with the longest speech ever on the floor, more than eight and a half hours, delaying the vote.

See Kean's full statement below:

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“This afternoon, Congress passed a commonsense legislative package that was a major win for New Jerseyans and Americans across the country. We secured the full SALT deduction for every middle-class family in New Jersey. I never backed down from the fight for SALT relief, standing up to Democrats and Republicans alike to quadruple the deduction to $40,000. I also stood with American innovators, voting to renew R&D tax credits for the research and development that businesses do to fuel ingenuity and job creation.
“I voted to safeguard Medicaid for every intended beneficiary in the Garden State and nationwide. By rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse, we are preserving this vital program for today’s recipients and future generations. I also voted to protect New Jersey’s expansion of certain critical supplemental payments they receive from the federal government—an important financing tool that hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care providers rely on to serve Medicaid patients. Finally, this bill allocates $50 billion over five years to hospitals and health care providers, ensuring patients continue to receive quality care in New Jersey and throughout the country.
“We permanently increased the Child Tax Credit to $2,200, delivering meaningful relief to young families still struggling under the weight of four years of record inflation. We secured necessary resources for Somerset and Morris Counties, and the entire state, by investing tens of millions of dollars in local and state law enforcement to better equip them to protect President Trump and surrounding communities.
“We made significant progress on key priorities like securing the border, unleashing American energy and advancement, and strengthening national security—all while cutting wasteful spending, advancing affordability, and making the federal government both more efficient and more accountable.
“Once President Trump signs this bill into law, life will become more affordable for residents of New Jersey’s Seventh District. They will see immediate tax relief, greater transparency from Washington, and more support for innovation. This is a crucial step toward a stronger, more secure future for the next generation.”

Kean said the "key wins in the full reconciliation package for New Jersey and the nation" include:

  • SALT Deduction Raised: Raises the cap on the State and Local Tax deduction to $40,000, providing major relief for all middle-class families.
  • Medicaid Integrity Restored: Ensures benefits go only to eligible recipients and that those who are able to contribute to their community are doing so in order to receive Medicaid benefits. Provides additional funding for New Jersey’s health care providers beginning in 2026.
  • Secret Service Reimbursement Secured: Secures vital federal support for local and state law-enforcement who provide protection when President Trump is at his home in Bedminster.
  • Border Security Strengthened: Provides resources to support border patrol agents, detect illegal drug smuggling, and secure our southern border.
  • American Energy Independence Advanced: Unleashes American energy production to help us meet our growing energy needs.
  • Child Tax Credit Boosted: Permanently increased to $2,200 and adjusted for inflation, offering direct support for families after years of rising costs.
  • "Doc Fix" Enacted: Addresses long-standing Medicare physician payment issues to ensure that New Jersey’s doctors receive fair reimbursement for their important services.
  • Orphan Cures Act Passed: Eliminates a misguided law that slowed the development of drugs for patients with rare diseases. Many of these treatments are developed by New Jersey’s unparalleled biotech innovation industry.
  • Air Traffic Control Modernized: Delivers a $12.5 billion investment to overhaul, modernize, and staff our air traffic control system.

See Related: Somerset Co. Residents Protest Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' At Somerville Rally

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