After a razor-thin vote in the House, H.R. 1, lovingly dubbed “One Big Beautiful Bill,” is on its way to the Senate. The bill represents a sweeping reset of federal priorities, tackling taxes, welfare, national security, and much more. At 208 pages, it’s not light reading. But we’ve combed through it to highlight the most impactful provisions for average Americans and fiscal conservatives alike.
And yes, Louisiana lawmakers helped squeak it over the line by a single vote. Speaker Mike Johnson, in particular, deserves praise for guiding this complex package to passage. Congressmen Clay Higgins, Steve Scalise, Julia Letlow, and Speaker Mike Johnson all supported. As expected, Louisiana’s newest retread Congressman Cleo Fields voted no, along with his fellow Democrat Troy Carter.
It’s also a good time to remind everyone that the legacy media hate Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, Clay Higgins, you, and me. Why would anyone turn to the USAID-sponsored news programs after watching them get it wrong almost every time? Here are the high points you need to know for those important water cooler conversations.
Stopping Biden’s Spending and Reining in the Bureaucracy
Secs. 10015 and 10014 of H.R. 1 gut unspent funds from the so-called Inflation Reduction Act (which had the opposite effect), scrap Biden-era regulatory overreach that choked small businesses, and limit the ability of federal agencies to act without congressional oversight. Wasteful programs within HUD, the USDA, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau get the axe. Reduced government spending, along with lowering regulations, is a total win-win.
Defending America with Real Muscle
H.R. 1 invests heavily in modernizing the U.S. military, with over $140 billion to rebuild housing for servicemembers, expand naval shipbuilding, and deploy cutting-edge missile and air defense systems. It advances the Iron Dome for America concept, fortifies our Pacific deterrence against China, and reasserts U.S. nuclear dominance. This bill ensures our men and women in uniform are better equipped, better trained, and backed by 21st-century technology.
Border Security Like We’ve Never Seen
For years, border security has been a punchline. With over $80 billion allocated, this bill puts boots on the ground, steel in the soil, and high-tech tools in the hands of border agents. It authorizes 10,000 new ICE officers and 5,000 customs officers and mandates a million yearly removals—no more catch-and-release.
For states like Louisiana that voluntarily assist with border enforcement, a new reimbursement program ensures their efforts aren’t just symbolic—they’re sustainable.
* As outlined in the Republican Study Committee’s legislative bulletin.
Cutting Taxes and Making Trump’s Reforms Permanent
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was constantly under threat of sunset. Not anymore. H.R. 1 locks in the Trump tax cuts, protecting the increased standard deduction, lower income tax brackets, and expanded child tax credit. It also blocks non-citizens from claiming refundable tax credits by requiring a work-eligible Social Security number. For working families, it expands Health Savings Accounts so you can keep more of your earnings and save tax-free for medical expenses.
SNAP Reform and Ending the Free Lunch for States
Under the old system, states had no reason to root out food stamp fraud because they weren’t paying for it. H.R. 1 changes that by requiring states to cover a portion of SNAP costs, scaling based on error rates. Work requirements for able-bodied adults are restored and tightened. Loopholes that allowed automatic eligibility based on receiving a utility check or an internet bill are closed. Illegal immigrants are cut off. The bill even scraps the ineffective “SNAP-Ed” grant program that tried to teach people how to cook healthy food with government money. It’s fiscal discipline with a side of common sense.
Student Loan Sanity and College Accountability
For too long, federal student aid has fueled a vicious cycle of skyrocketing tuition and worthless degrees. H.R. 1 hits the reset button. It eliminates bloated Grad PLUS and subsidized loan programs, caps total aid based on real program costs, and ends the Biden administration’s backdoor forgiveness schemes. Colleges that leave students with debt and no degree will finally have to pay the taxpayers back. Pell Grants are redirected toward high-quality, short-term workforce training that prepares students for real jobs, not just safe spaces.
* These education reforms are supported in the RSC legislative bulletin tied to H.R. 1 but are not part of the base bill text.
Spending Cuts That Actually Mean Something
Washington has talked about spending cuts for decades. H.R. 1 finally delivers. With $1.6 trillion in mandatory reductions over ten years, this bill trims fat across nearly every federal agency. That means no more blank checks for duplicative grant programs, politically motivated environmental giveaways, or bureaucratic make-work jobs. Don’t get too excited about those leftover Green New Scam programs. The Art of the Deal continues after the bill passes. Key word “after.”
Division A & Secs. 10002–10016 of H.R. 1 also eliminates slush funds buried in places like the Department of Energy and redirects taxpayer dollars toward core constitutional functions. These aren’t cuts for show, they’re recalibrations of the federal government’s role.
Infrastructure That Serves People, Not Politics
Infrastructure doesn’t have to mean bridges to nowhere or solar panels for federal buildings. H.R. 1 sets aside billions for things Americans actually use, like modernizing air traffic control systems, rebuilding aging Coast Guard vessels, and improving the reliability of national logistics networks. It brings fairness to the Highway Trust Fund by requiring electric and hybrid vehicles to pay their share. And it scraps the Inflation Reduction Act’s pork-barrel green energy subsidies that had more to do with ideology than outcomes… with more to come later.
Energy Independence and Land Use Restored
Energy dominance begins with access, and H.R. 1 opens the gates. Sections 20107 and 20601 of H.R. 1 restore oil and gas leasing on federal lands, require at least 30 offshore lease sales in the Gulf of America over the next 15 years, and greenlight responsible development in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve. It resumes coal leasing, expands timber sales, and even rescinds Biden-era land use rules that locked up vast areas from economic development.
This isn’t just about energy—it’s about restoring the balance between environmental stewardship and real economic opportunity.
What This Could Mean for Louisiana’s Budget
Roughly half of Louisiana’s budget is funded by federal dollars. With H.R. 1 tightening the belt in D.C., state agencies may start sounding the alarm about “devastating cuts.” Even worse, though, politicians groping for attention and credit will say, “DOGE!” much more. But let’s be honest: If they were really committed to trimming waste, they would have done it by now. Instead, expect some of the same folks who cry for fiscal responsibility in Baton Rouge to complain about having fewer federal dollars to play with.
If the state can’t keep funding bloated or ineffective programs without Washington’s help, it’s time for our own version of H.R. 1: one big, beautiful budget that puts taxpayers first. I know, I know… good luck with that. Instead of lowering our taxes to spur our economy, the Louisiana legislature just passed the largest sales tax increase in our history. While complaining there’s no money, their play-money slush funds (like HB460) have already reached $127,568,679 in pork. And the Louisiana Senate hasn’t even had its turn.
Where We Go From Here
If the US Senate does its job, H.R. 1 could mark a turning point, not just for Washington, but for states like Louisiana that have grown far too comfortable spending someone else’s money. It’s a gut check for those who preach reform but practice dependency.
It’s also a challenge: If Speaker Mike Johnson and his allies can deliver sweeping reform at the national level, then why can’t Baton Rouge do the same at home? This H.R. 1 isn’t just for the country at large; it’s a shining example of what’s possible here at home — if we keep the pressure on. Because, at the end of the day, one big beautiful bill in Washington means nothing if Louisiana’s budget is still one big bloated mess.
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The DOGE Effect: What If We Cut Waste in Louisiana?
Elon Musk and Donald Trump are slashing waste in Washington, and the whole world is watching. Many have said, “That’s great—but we need to do the same thing in Louisiana!”
What most don’t realize is that Citizens for a New Louisiana has been ‘DOGE before DOGE was cool.’ Our investigatory work exposes government waste, backroom deals, and left-wing slush funds. And when people know what their government is really doing, it stops.
Want proof? Just change a few words:
👉 If you knew your government was funding erotic children’s books, they’d stop doing it.
👉 If you knew your government was sending millions to activist NGOs, they’d stop doing it.
👉 If you knew your government was emboldening hard-Left activists, they’d stop doing it.
We’ve covered transparency issues for almost seven years. No one else in Louisiana is looking this closely at where your tax dollars are going. Are you fed up with the hundreds of millions of dollars flowing from Louisiana's treasury into the pockets of NGOs and left-wing activists? If so, you’re not alone. But exposing it isn’t enough—we need your help to stop it.
If every reader contributed just $10 a year, we could double our reach. Your support now ensures Louisiana’s conservative future—don’t wait—contribute today!
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