Shame on Idaho lawmakers who voted for Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ | Opinion

Budget bill

The so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” was passed by the House by one vote. Both Simpson and Fulcher voted for it. The Congressional Budget Office has said this bill will increase the federal deficit over the next 10 years by over 3 trillion dollars. This bill would cut hundreds of billions from Medicare and Medicaid and various other social safety net programs, all or most of which benefit the middle class down to the poorest. Republicans are making these cuts to justify a tax cut that will disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Americans and corporations.

To summarize – the party of “fiscal conservatism” wants to increase the deficit (which would be absolutely unacceptable if the White House were occupied by a Democrat) in order to cut taxes mostly for the wealthy, while giving lip service to paying for this tax cut by cutting $800 billion from programs that help ordinary Americans. The absolute stupidity of this approach is mind-boggling. Please contact Senators Crapo and Risch and urge them to vote against this bill. If they don’t, remember Risch is up for reelection next year. Vote him out.

Walt Gammill, Boise

SNAP

As a lifelong Idahoan and Boise resident, I know firsthand how vital SNAP is. After losing my job during the Great Recession, I went from working as a legal assistant to applying for food assistance just to keep my son fed. I skipped meals so he could eat dinner. I borrowed eggs and oil from my mom so he wouldn’t go to school empty-handed for a class party. SNAP helped us survive when everything else fell apart.

Today, more than 132,000 Idahoans rely on this program — including veterans, older adults and families who work hard but can’t make ends meet. Yet Congress is considering cuts that would slash average benefits to just $5 a day. That won’t even cover a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread.

Worse, these proposals would strip thousands of Idaho kids of free school meals. That’s not fiscal responsibility — it’s punishing children and families.

SNAP isn’t charity. It’s a smart, effective program that reduces hunger and keeps communities strong. Idaho grocers, farmers, and families all benefit.

I urge Idaho’s congressional delegation: Reject these harmful cuts. You can’t fix a broken budget by taking food away from children.

Dawn Pierce, Boise

Memorial Day

Congrats, Idaho. As Memorial Day approaches, you can take credit along with America for taking us back from the brink of deep state disaster, wokeism and DEI programming of our nation. Your orange savior was correct in his pronouncements that he must dismantle our government in order to save it.

Veterans are in fact suckers and losers as evidenced by our congressional leaders and voters who put him as our leader. tearing down the veteran’s administration is key in showing his true feeling about how to show honor and respect to veterans.

So, congrats especially to the millions for veterans who patriotically voted for their selfless leader.

Pat yourselves on the back. You helped do this.

Now the American experiment thanks you, once again, for your service.

My humble advice: learn Russian, Chinese or better yet Arabic. You could be needing those skills shortly.

Jim Franklin, Meridian, Vietnam veteran, aka sucker and loser

Ukraine

We’ve seen interesting developments involving the United States, Russia and Ukraine. Looking back at the American Revolution, we sought freedom, freedom from King George III. Our 13 colonies started the Revolutionary War with a rag tag Army and ended the matter as the Great American Experiment in Democracy with an equal tripartite system of government. Ukraine is no different than we were in 1776. Ukraine seeks to shed the dictatorial rule of Vladimir Putin and Russia. Ukraine does not seek wealth, power or territorial gain. No, Ukraine only seeks its inherent right to self-determination. The United States has always stood up for the oppressed. If our Democracy means anything, anything at all, then we must support Ukraine in its battle against a ruthless oppressor for the basic right of self-determination. If we don’t, then I fear that we have lost the basic principle that has been the backbone of our Democracy.

Lawrence G. Sirhall, Jr., Boise

BLM land

U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson: The BLM manages 12 million acres of public lands in Idaho and, in 2025 issued 2,100 grazing permits to 1,500 livestock operators for $1.35/animal unit month, while Idaho charged $6.86/animal unit month for grazing permits on state trust lands which have collected a $2.4 billion trust fund over the years indicating a fairly substantial business just on their 2.5 million acres.

That looks to me like a $5.51/AUM benefit for ranchers grazing their livestock on lands owned by the American public at large, making the Idaho ranching industry beholden to the American public for some amount of money.

But the U.S. government, under the present administration is eliminating or substantially reducing the social safety net on which a substantial number of Americans depend upon for food, shelter, health care, education and a whole host of programs approved by Congress over the years.

So my question to you is how do you, in good conscience, reconcile voting in favor of gutting those programs while approving BLM rates approved by Congress in years past, favorable to Idaho ranchers by at least $5.51/AUM which may amount to billions of dollars annually, while denying congressionally approved benefits to Americans at large?

Jerry Manning, Boise

NOAA cuts

The Trump administration has drastically cut funding to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, one of the greatest meteorology and climate science communities in the world. NOAA provides essential forecasts for public safety, especially as hurricane and wildfire seasons approach. Legally required assessments of the climate are being stopped. From May 28 to June 1st, meteorologists and climate scientists from across the US will share their work on the Weather and Climate Livestream (https://wclivestream.com/) a science-filled, non-partisan event that will clarify the impact of the funding cuts and show why weather and climate research is so vital. Join the livestream to learn more about these important topics.

Kayti Didricksen, Boise

This story was originally published May 23, 2025 at 4:00 AM.