Horsford Opening Statement at Field Hearing on the One, Big, Ugly Law
Thank you, Mr. Chairman – and welcome to my hometown, Las Vegas, Nevada. And before, I get into my remarks – Mr. Chairman, as you know, Senate Republicans unilaterally thrusted the gaming economy and its patrons into uncertainty with the unjust inclusion of the wagering loss penalty in H.R. 1. Do I have your commitment to work with Ranking Member Neal and me?
I am proud to welcome you all to see our incredible small businesses, our hardworking people, and the energy and resistance that makes this city so special. But it’s a shame that you’re here to highlight a bill that will be disastrous for Nevada’s long-term future.
Las Vegas is ground zero for the damage Trump’s economy is doing to workers and families. From rising housing costs to falling hotel occupancy, from energy projects on pause to an impending health care cliff, the reality in Nevada tells a very different story than the one Republicans are selling.
On July 4th, while Americans were celebrating their independence, President Trump – flanked by Congressional Republicans – signed away our economic and health freedom with the most expensive bill in U.S. history: the Big Ugly Law … all to benefit BILLIONARIES.
And I refuse to stay silent about the damage this bill will cause – especially here in my community.
The Big Ugly Law, passed without a single Democratic vote, delivers a cruel blow to working families. And make no mistake: Nevada will be among the hardest hit states.
Despite what you’ll hear today from my colleagues across the aisle, this Big Ugly Law isn’t a tax cut for working families. It is a $4 trillion budget-busting giveaway to the ultra-wealthy.
The top 0.1 percent are walking away with an average tax break of $309,000, while working families making less than $50,000 will get a mere 68 cents a day. And that’s BEFORE the impact from all of the cuts they are imposing.
Republicans had every opportunity to work with Democrats to extend tax cuts for working families in a bipartisan fashion without giving handouts to billionaires. And they chose not to. They voted no.
Instead, they’ve slashed nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid, putting coverage for over 110,000 Nevadans at risk – cutting up to $11 billion from our state’s health care system. That could mean rural hospitals in places like Battle Mountain and Winnemucca are forced to close their doors. And as coverage disappears, costs will rise, and care will suffer.
But don’t just take my word for it.
Mr. Mason Van Houweling, the CEO of University Medical Center – Nevada’s only public hospital – said they’re reviewing expenses line by line, scrutinizing staffing, supplies, and even utilities to prepare for what’s coming due to the Big Ugly Law. That’s how serious and immediate this threat is.
And the damage to working families doesn’t stop there.
The Big Ugly Law jeopardizes over 760,000 clean energy jobs nationally and over 8,300 here in Nevada by gutting incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act.
It raises costs for families by stripping away support for energy-efficient home upgrades.
And it hits the backbone of our local economy: hospitality and tourism.
And again, don’t just take my word for it! Mr. Derek Stevens, the owner of Circa, the Golden Gate, and the D, said the Big Ugly Law “will impact jobs … visitation, tourism.”
And he is right!
Since the Trump-Vance Administration took office, Las Vegas room rates have dropped more than 16 PERCENT. We haven’t seen a single month of growth in hotel occupancy since February.
Mr. Chair, this bill is selling a lie that my constituents are too savvy to buy.
They see right through it.
My constituents know the truth:
Slashing food assistance for more than 40 million Americans — including 83,000 Nevada families — is wrong.
Threatening Pell Grants for nearly 38,000 Nevada students and limiting access to higher education is wrong.
Giving tipped workers temporary relief – and capping it at only $25,000 – while letting the wealthiest enjoy permanent tax holidays is wrong.
This bill is not reform. It’s Robinhood in reverse: taking from workers to give more to the ultra-rich.
It’s not pro-growth. It’s pro-greed.
And it’s not what Nevadans voted for.
We’re here today because the American people deserve to know the truth about what is in this bill – who it helps, and who it hurts.
Because when you raise taxes on working families to fund tax breaks for billionaires, you’re not cutting government. You’re cutting people off.
From health care. From opportunity. From dignity.
Every job lost, every meal missed, every prescription skipped – that falls at Republicans’ feet. They’re betting big on billionaires and gambling with Nevada’s future.
But Democrats are here to fight back. We’re not letting them sell this raw deal without a fight.
Nevada deserves better. And the people of Las Vegas know a bad bet when they see one.
Thank you. I yield back.
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