Utah reaction to passage of H.R. 1, the Big Beautiful Bill
Jul 3, 2025, 7:24 PM
Rep. Celeste Maloy (L) with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (Celeste Maloy on X). Rep. Burgess Owens (R) with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson on July 3, after passage of H.R.1. (Burgess Owens on X)
(Burgess Owens on X)
SALT LAKE CITY — All of Utah’s congressional delegation voted yes on H.R. 1, or the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which passed the House of Representatives on Thursday with a vote of 218 to 214.
Some Utahns praise passage of H.R. 1 praised
In comments on X, 4th Congressional District Rep. Burgess Owens said he was especially proud of the “pathway to universal school choice,” that the bill includes.
Proud to vote YES on the One Big Beautiful Bill.
Next stop: President @realDonaldTrump‘s desk. pic.twitter.com/z3hiDn83Q3
— Rep. Burgess Owens (@RepBurgessOwens) July 3, 2025
In his post Owens was referencing a tax-credit scholarship that helps families with tuition for private schools. According to Chalkbeat, which provides educated-related reporting, taxpayers get a $1,700 tax credit if they donate the same amount to an organization that provides private-school scholarships. This program will be optional for states.
Calling the bill’s passage a “monumental achievement,” 2nd Congressional District Rep. Celeste Maloy also used the X platform to congratulate her colleagues.
The One Big, Beautiful Bill is passed and ready to be signed! Congratulations to @SpeakerJohnson on this monumental achievement. pic.twitter.com/YrhLoXENRl
— Rep. Celeste Maloy (@RepMaloyUtah) July 3, 2025
In particular, Maloy noted a portion of H.B. 1 which she said, “includes historic compensation for downwinders and uranium workers in Utah and across the nation.”
The Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah describes downwinders as a person “exposed or presumed to be exposed to radiation from the explosion of nuclear devices at the federal Nevada Test Site. These nuclear tests took place in the 1950s and 1960s.”
A portion of H.B. 1 reauthorizes and expands the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, which, “provides compensation and health screenings to victims of U.S. nuclear weapons tests, uranium mining, and nuclear waste,” said Gretchen Goldman, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists, in a statement.
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson: H.B. 1 is harmful to families
In her response to the passage of H.B. 1, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson focused on families who rely on Medicaid.
“Today’s passage of the multi-trillion-dollar federal spending bill will harm many Salt Lake County families who rely on Medicaid and other essential services,” Wilson said in a statement. “It hits hardest those already struggling: children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income workers.”
Wilson also addressed the “billions” the act adds to the deficit.
“An odd choice especially for those claiming fiscal responsibility. It also strips control from local communities, undermining Utah’s and Salt Lake County’s ability to make decisions that work best for our residents.”
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that H.R. 1 will increase the federal deficit by $3 trillion over the next decade.
Sen. John Curtis on H.R.1
Utah Sen. John Curtis voted yes on the Senate’s version of H.R. 1, earlier in the week.
Both my high and low this week are on the Big Beautiful Bill. I am grateful we were able to get it through the Senate and hopefully now on to the President. pic.twitter.com/WydIvx6Xvq
— Senator John Curtis (@SenJohnCurtis) July 3, 2025
Utah Democrats on H.R.1
But Utah Democrats, including Brian King, Chair of the Utah Democratic Party, expressed disappointment.
“Trump’s so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ is a betrayal of working people,” King said in a statement. “It guts healthcare, drives up costs, slashes food assistance, and adds trillions to the deficit – all for corporate handouts and to give billions to the ultra-wealthy. And Utah families will pay the price.”
In their response to H.R. 1’s passage, Utah Senate Democrats expressed concern about the the loss of healthcare and benefits for thousands of Utahns.
What’s next for H.R.1?
President Trump had asked Congress to pass H.R. 1 so that he could sign it by the Fourth of July. The Bipartisan Policy Center reports the bill’s enactment into law and its effective date are dependent upon Trump’s signature.
The Center also reports that some of the tax changes can become effective in 2025.
