What the Budget Reconciliation Bill Means for Climate Justice and You.
The recently passed budget reconciliation bill or so called "Big Beautiful Bill" contains the most sweeping rollbacks of public services, climate protections, and environmental justice in recent history. Here's how it will affect you, your community, and our shared future:
It Slashes Medicaid—and Rural Healthcare Will Suffer Most
The bill imposes stricter Medicaid eligibility rules, which could leave thousands without health insurance. Rural hospitals—many already underfunded—depend on Medicaid reimbursements to stay open. As a result, expect more closures, longer emergency response times, and increases in preventable deaths in rural communities.
It Cuts Food Assistance for the Most Vulnerable
New work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will disqualify many disabled and elderly individuals. The bill also reduces funding for free and reduced-price school meals—often the only reliable nutrition source for low-income children.
It Guts Clean Energy Incentives—While Propping Up Fossil Fuels
Federal tax credits for electric vehicles and solar installations are being rolled back. Meanwhile, the bill awards enormous tax breaks to coal exporters, effectively subsidizing pollution while making clean energy less affordable for everyday Americans.
It Eliminates Thousands of Green Jobs
Rolling back clean energy investments under the Inflation Reduction Act means millions of job losses across the solar, wind, and energy efficiency sectors—especially in regions that had started to benefit from a just transition.
It Undermines Environmental and Disaster Preparedness
The bill strips funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and FEMA, including key programs for weather monitoring and climate resilience. This means fewer resources for flood forecasting, hurricane tracking, and wildfire prevention—right as climate disasters worsen.
It Delivers $4.5 Trillion in Tax Cuts to the Wealthy
It creates $4.5 trillion in Tax Cuts to the wealthiest Americans. All the cuts to vital programs that benefit middle and low-income people will fund trillions of dollars in tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy.
It Ends Community-Based Climate Funding
Programs created under the Inflation Reduction Act to help cities and towns improve energy efficiency, retrofit buildings, and transition to clean power are being zeroed out. Not only is the funding cut, but so are the jobs of those who administered and implemented these programs.
It Defunds Education
The bill will roll back Pell Grants to undergraduates that provide gift aid to low-income students. The bill will also massively roll back funding for graduate students. The bill also changes the requirements for qualifying payments for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. These cuts to education affordability programs make higher education less attainable for low-income students.
It Rolls Back Protections for Public Lands
Thousands of employees at National Parks were laid off earlier this spring as part of cuts recommended by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The budget reconciliation bill further established new policies and rolled back protections for environmental protection of public land. The bill establishes mandatory timber sales and rescinds federal funding to protect forests and boost forest resiliency. The bill also authorizes coal mining on federal lands where it was previously prohibited.
Why This Matters
Climate justice means ensuring that everyone, especially the most vulnerable, has access to clean air, clean energy, healthy food, and medical care. This bill does the opposite: it undoes years of hard-earned progress and sacrifices people and planet for profit.
So What Now?
While federal action is moving backwards, there’s still powerful work happening at the state and local levels:
In Maine: We’re already preparing for the 2026 short legislative session. Efforts are underway to pass state-level policies for universal free school lunch, environmental education, small farm grants, and more.
Local Government: Don’t underestimate your city council or school board. These bodies shape key climate, food, and education policies. Get involved!
Join Divest Maine: We're building an intergenerational campaign to push the Maine Public Employee Retirement System (MainePERS) to divest from fossil fuels. We're looking for new members especially students and beneficiaries.
Support the Maine Solidarity Fund: Your donation can provide direct help for immigrant neighbors, trans community members, and others most impacted by this harmful legislation.
Interested In Some More Perspectives?
"What Trump's Disastrous Budget Bill Means for You" from Sierra Club
"Here’s How the Reconciliation Bill is Harmful to Maine" from Natural Resources Council of Maine
"How Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” further enriches the rich and immiserates the poor" from Maine Center for Economic Policy
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