WASHINGTON, D.C. — “Every vote matters,” the saying goes. It usually refers to people’s votes in elections, but U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman proved the phrase true as applied to members of Congress.
The Wyoming Republican’s vote in favor of a multitrillion tax-and-spending package was critical as the U.S. House passed the budget bill Thursday morning on 215-214 tally with every Democrat voting against it.
“I worked diligently to ensure Wyoming’s voice was reflected in this historic legislation,” Hageman said in a statement, citing income tax cuts, border security spending and pro-oil and pro-coal provisions, among many others.
After an all-night session, the vote on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act concluded as much of the country was still sleeping at 6:54 a.m. ET (4:54 a.m. in Wyoming).
U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, R-Maryland, formally abstained, voting “present.” Two other Republicans, U.S. Reps. David Schweikert of Arizona and Andrew Garbarino of New York, did not vote.
Now In Hands Of Senate
The package now goes to the Senate, where it could be changed even though the GOP controls that chamber, just as it holds the House.
U.S. Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, Wyoming Republicans, were not immediately available for comment as they were voting on other matters Thursday morning.
In Senate floor remarks early Thursday, Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York echoed his party colleagues in the House with complaints of health care and food assistance cuts in the bill.
“Republicans are stealing from hungry kids,” he said, adding that the bill will “shut down rural hospitals and urgent-care clinics.”
According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill will add to the nation’s $36 trillion debt. Some House Republicans had fought it for that reason, seeking deeper cuts than the final version made.
The bill boosts military and border security spending. It preserves 2017 income tax cuts that would otherwise expire, and adds new tax relief as well.
Hageman Lauds Green Energy Rollback
Hageman praised the bill’s rollback of former President Joe Biden’s green energy tax incentives, as well as the legislation’s provisions favoring the oil, coal and timber industries.
According to Hageman’s Thursday statement, the bill reduces coal royalty rates and mandates the secretary of Interior to lease federal coal resources.
It resumes quarterly oil and gas leases, “reversing Biden’s anti-energy policies,” her statement said.
The bill requires the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service to “to increase timber production by 25% and to offer a certain number of 20-year contracts to better manage our forests,” the statement said.
The statement also said the bill “eliminates waste, fraud and abuse in Medicaid through work requirements and tightening eligibility, helping remove 1.4 million illegal aliens from the program.”
Overall, the bill reflects what President Donald Trump hoped for. Hageman referred to that, and the November election, in her statement.
“In November, commonsense was restored and the American people spoke with a clear voice – unleash American energy, secure the southern border, and restore the economy,” she said. “Today, the House passed legislation to deliver on President Trump’s promise.”
Sean Barry can be reached at sean@cowboystatedaily.com.
