“Wave of political headaches”: Congressmen pay the price with their ratings for Trump’s ‘Big, Ugly Law’
As the states of Texas and Florida are officially starting the process of redrawing the congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms, House Republicans are facing a wave of political headaches as they return to their districts. New polls and input from voters show that they are quite unhappy with the reconciliation package they just passed. NOTUS possesses a report from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) that portrays a bleak picture for the GOP as the midterms approach. It says that the controversial legislation is quickly becoming “the defining issue” of the election season.
The DCCC email says that Republicans are seeing constant opposition, from negative press coverage to loud protesters at their district offices. It describes a summer recess filled with confrontations, angry letters, and public outrage, all centered on what Democrats are calling the “Big, Ugly Law.” The document says that Republican leaders have sent home lawmakers who are in danger of losing their jobs to defend a bill that polls shows is both unpopular and detrimental for their party.
The law’s severe cuts to Medicaid, which include a work requirement for able-bodied individuals, have drawn a lot of criticism. At a recent town hall in Nebraska, Rep. Mike Flood (R-Neb.) carried out a debate about policy changes. However, locals strongly opposed the proposals, turning the event into a heated public argument. The document says that these kinds of things aren’t just one-time events; they’re part of a larger trend of voters being against the bill.
Democrats also point out that a lot of Republican members have avoided open forums completely. The letter cites polling experts who believe that the bill might “eat alive” those who voted for it, especially in areas where people have concerns about the economy. Costs are going up, jobs aren’t growing as quickly as they should, and unemployment is still high. These things have made people even more angry, making it hard to sell the bill’s benefits, which Republicans say are big, in many areas.
The DCCC says that a different leaked document from the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) earlier this year told GOP members to stay out of the public eye and focus on advocating tax cuts in restricted settings. Democrats said that this plan shows that Republicans are “running scared” and don’t want to face their voters directly.
Democrats plan to make the law a big part of their midterm platform going forward. The letter says that public resistance is growing and that people are feeling more and more like they made a mistake in buying the product.
“The sense of buyer’s remorse is real and growing daily. The more the American people learn about it, the more they hate it,” the document reads, predicting that anger over the legislation could fuel a voter backlash large enough to end the GOP’s House majority.
If the DCCC’s assessment proves correct, Republicans may find themselves not just defending their legislative agenda but fighting to survive a political storm of their own making.
