John Croisant Slams Kevin Hern for Backing Trump’s Mega Bill

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—With a final House vote of 218–214, Republicans pushed through the controversial One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) on July 3, sending it to President Donald Trump’s desk just before Independence Day. Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern praised it as “a monumental win.” But his Democratic challenger, John Croisant, called it a cruel billionaire giveaway that harms working families in Oklahoma and beyond.

Supporters call it a tax and budget overhaul with permanent Trump-era cuts and major boosts to military and border spending.

Critics, including former President Joe Biden and numerous civil rights organizations, say it slashes critical programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and public education, hurting the very communities that can least afford it.

“The Republican budget bill is not only reckless — it’s cruel. It slashes Medicaid and takes away health care from millions of Americans. It closes rural hospitals and cuts food assistance for our veterans and seniors. It jacks up energy bills. And it could trigger deep cuts to Medicare while driving up the deficit by $4 trillion. All of this to give a massive tax break to billionaires. Working people deserve better.”

Former U.S. President Joe Biden

“Win for America,” Says Hern—But at Whose Expense?

Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK), who chairs the Republican Study Committee and played a prominent role in shaping the bill, praised its passage. “This is a monumental win for the American people,” Hern said.

“The One Big Beautiful Bill delivers tax relief for working families, ensures fiscal responsibility, and reinforces our national defense. This bill is a testament to President Trump’s charismatic leadership and vision for a stronger America,” Hern added.

But critics argue that Hern’s version of “fiscal responsibility” comes at a steep cost, especially for vulnerable communities in Oklahoma. The legislation restructures Medicaid into block grants, eliminating retroactive eligibility and cutting funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

It also imposes stricter work requirements for SNAP recipients, even for parents and older adults, and caps federal funding for the food program, limiting states’ ability to respond to economic hardship.

John Croisant, Running to Unseat Hern, Decries SNAP and CHIP Rollbacks

John Croisant, a Democratic candidate running against Rep. Kevin Hern in Oklahoma’s First Congressional District, condemned both the bill and Hern’s vote. He called it “a reckless transfer of wealth to the richest Americans at the expense of the rest of us.”

John Croisant warned that Oklahoma’s healthcare system could buckle under the strain.

“Millions of Americans will lose access to healthcare as Medicaid is slashed. Here in Oklahoma, that means state leaders may be forced to cut back SoonerCare or raise taxes just to keep hospitals running,” Croisant said in a statement obtained by The Black Wall Street Times.

The economic disparity embedded in the bill has drawn sharp criticism from analysts and activists alike.

Nearly half the tax cuts go to the top 5% of earners. The wealthiest 0.1% are projected to receive average annual cuts of nearly $290,000.

Middle-income families face increased healthcare costs. Utility bills may rise as clean energy cuts hit a sector powering over 40% of Oklahoma’s electricity.

“This bill doesn’t stop at economic harm,” Croisant said. “It increases funding for ICE to deport refugees and asylum seekers…while doing nothing to make military spending more efficient or transparent.”

Challenger Croisant Says Hern’s Vote Leaves Oklahoma “Holding the Bag”

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill will add $3.4 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, raising alarms about long-term fiscal sustainability and equity. Civil rights groups say the cuts disproportionately harm Black, Brown, and working-class communities by rolling back federal protections and vital aid programs.

“The families hit hardest are those already working to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. These are parents doing everything they can to give their kids a fair shot,” Keri Rodrigues, co-founder and President of the National Parents Union, said. 

“This isn’t fiscal responsibility – it’s fiscal cruelty. Lawmakers are gambling with the health and future of America’s families just to hand out tax breaks for billionaires. We will not forget. And we will not back down,” Rodrigues adds.

Despite some popular perks, critics say the bill’s overall impact is deeply regressive and favors the wealthy.

John Croisant concluded, “They voted for a bill that will hurt the poor, squeeze the middle class, and leave Oklahoma taxpayers holding the bag. It’s unacceptable.”

The bill’s legacy may hinge on whom it leaves behind. For many Oklahomans, the cost of this “beautiful” bill is anything but.