Rep Scanlon Decries 'Big Beautiful Bill' As 'Indefensible'

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — President Donald Trump's flagship "big beautiful bill" was approved by Congress Thursday, marking a major win for the county's Make America Great Again contingent.

The bill's passage, which critics say could eliminate health insurance for millions while providing huge tax breaks for the wealthy and increasing inequality, prompted responses from Philadelphia elected officials, including Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-5th District).

Scanlon, a Democrat, quickly decried the bill Thursday afternoon, calling it "deeply flawed" and morally and economically "indefensible."

"President Trump’s huge spending bill is a massive betrayal of the American people that will leave families across our country, and right here in PA05, with higher costs and harder times," she said in a statement.

Scanlon voted no on the bill with fellow Philly-area Democrats Reps. Brendan Boyle (PA-2nd District), Dwight Evans (PA-3rd District), Madeleine Dean (PA-4th District), and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6th District).

Joining them in the no vote was Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1st District).

U.S. Senator John Fetterman also voted no on the bill.

See how the bill could affect Pennsylvania online here.

Scanlon went on to accuse the GOP of lying in their justification of the bill.

"Republicans claim that cuts to healthcare, hunger relief, and environmental protections are necessary to reduce the deficit, but this bill actually increases the deficit by trillions, by giving even bigger permanent tax breaks to the wealthy," she said. "The tax breaks allegedly targeted to low-income workers, like those on tips and overtime, will provide only limited relief because they are (1) temporary, and (2) framed as tax deductions, which will provide no relief to low-income taxpayers who don’t make enough to take advantage of deductions."