Pass the 'Big, Beautiful Bill,' then focus on reforms

As Senate Republicans turn the One Big Beautiful Bill, passed by one vote in the House, into a major taffy pull, two questions hover in the background. Where is our country headed? Will Republicans retain their razor-thin margins in the House and Senate in 2026? Satisfaction regarding the direction of the country has improved markedly since President Donald Trump took office. In December of 2024, per Gallup, 19% said they were satisfied. At the beginning of May, this stood at 38%. This is the highest satisfaction percent since February 2020, during Trump's first term, when it stood at 45%, just prior to the onset of Covid. On the other hand, how can we see it as good news that only 38% of Americans feel satisfied with the direction of their country? The last time this measure exceeded 50% was in 2002, almost a quarter-century ago. In May, Gallup asked what "is the most important problem facing this country today?" The top concern was government, with 26% saying this is the country's number one problem. Let's also consider Gallup's annual survey asking, "In this country, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with your freedom to choose what you do with your life?" In 2024, the percent saying they are satisfied with their freedom, 72%, was 15 points less than where it stood 10 years prior in 2014, 87%. Surely, a 1,000-plus page bill, with budgetary implications of trillions, with massive impact on individual and business taxes, spending on health and nutrition, energy and the environment, and a myriad of other areas, will do little to assuage the sense from voters that their government has run amok. Forget the idea that the Washington swamp is being drained. Federal government outlays now stand at 23.3% of our GDP — almost one-quarter of our national economy. With state and local government consuming another 15%, we're up to almost 40% of the U.S. economy consumed by government. Compared to today's 23.3% taken by the federal government, this stood at 17.5% in 2000 and 14.2% in 1950. Let's recall we have a Constitution with a preamble that says its purpose is "to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity." Those blessings are flying away, and without bold and courageous action, they will be lost forever. We have two parties. One, Democrats, for whom big government is the source of our blessings. The major drivers of today's runaway government are our entitlement/welfare programs, that, along with the interest on the federal debt, consume three-quarters of our federal budget. These programs are all legacies of Democratic presidents — Franklin Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson and Barack Obama. Unfortunately, Republicans, the party of Lincoln, have been far too complicit over the years, enabling the purveyors of big government. It's got to stop. Government cannot be either compassionate or efficient. Only individuals can be and do these things. It's why those who founded this country knew government must be limited to what individuals cannot do — like national defense. The only thing everyone agrees about regarding One Big Beautiful Bill is that it is big. Few see it as beautiful. But for the time being, it's the best that can be accomplished now. Whatever final form it takes, if Republicans don't get it passed, Trump will spend the second two years of his presidency with Democrats controlling the Congress. Entering 2026 with multitrillion-dollar tax increases and no spending cuts, what we get if this bill doesn't pass, is a scenario that sends Republicans to the back benches. One Big Beautiful Bill does not solve our problems. But it is a step in the right direction. Get it passed. And then Republicans must pick up the mantle of true and major reform and take on our entitlement and welfare programs, one by one, and fundamentally reform them so that once again America is fiscally sound and free. Star Parker is founder of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education.