[[link removed]]
Statement from Community Justice on Final Passage of Trump-Backed “One Big Beautiful Bill”
[JULY 3, 2025] WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congress finalized passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping tax and spending package that now heads to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.
This legislation contains a historic disinvestment in healthcare that will be particularly devastating for Black and Brown communities and victims of gun violence, slashing nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid and threatening coverage for millions of Americans. In recent years, Medicaid has become a critical funding stream that supports community-based violence intervention (CVI) programs across the country.
Nearly 10 states currently use Medicaid to reimburse organizations for hospital-based violence intervention and other proven strategies to reduce retaliatory gun violence. These reimbursements also help offset uncompensated care costs and provide vital support for survivors navigating trauma.
With the passage of this bill, CVI programming is at serious risk. Because Medicaid reimbursement is optional at the state level, these services are likely to be among the first to face cuts if state budgets are strained.
“This bill reflects a devastating set of priorities: cutting care to fund tax breaks, gutting public health investments in favor of carceral approaches, and sending a clear message that the safety,wellbeing, and lives of our communities are unimportant," said José Alfaro , Executive Director of Community Justice.
The bill also includes a dangerous provision that eliminates the $200 federal tax to transfer or purchase silencers, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and other weapons regulated under the National Firearms Act – further undermining long-standing public safety protections.
After the Trump Administration’s abrupt termination of public safety grant funding earlier this year, this legislation marks another major blow to efforts that prioritize intervention and prevention over punishment and policing.
Community Justice strongly condemns this legislation and urges leaders at every level to prioritize investment in care, healing, and community resilience – not violence.
Media contact: Eboni Munn, Director of Communications ( [email protected] [[email protected]] )
###
Community Justice is a non-partisan project of Tides Center and builds power for communities of color to end gun violence.
If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe: [link removed] .