Republicans in Congress narrowly passed their so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” (aka the “Big Ugly Bill”) and President Trump signed it into law on July 4. It is the most anti-environment legislation ever passed and will have disastrous impacts for clean energy, electricity costs, the health of our communities and environment, and much more. Here’s the ugly truth about what’s in this new law and the impacts we’ll feel across the country as it comes into effect.

In short: job loss, less clean energy, more pollution, higher energy costs, cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, more ICE raids, and tax cuts for billionaires.

Rising unemployment

The Inflation Reduction Act sparked a clean energy boom nationwide, funding over 750 projects big and small. The “Big Ugly Bill” guts the tax incentives and grants that made these projects possible. Hundreds of these projects will be eliminated, and with them, hundreds of thousands of jobs in clean energy and manufacturing.

The clean energy jobs that this bill destroys are good, family-sustaining jobs. They benefit workers, their families, and communities, and also help advance climate progress nationwide. Without these workers and the services they provide, it will be much more difficult for the U.S. to meet our climate goals.

Higher energy costs

Gutting clean energy tax credits also means that our communities will be forced to rely on expensive, polluting fossil fuels. Energy demand is rising at a historic rate. Undermining clean energy, the fastest and cheapest way to bring new energy online, will ensure there isn’t enough supply – and will jack up energy prices. Under this bill, families’ energy bills will go up around $110 next year, and over $400 per year in the next five.

Along with raising energy costs, the bill also guts fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks that have saved drivers $5 trillion at the pump. Without these standards, auto manufacturers will have less incentive to improve their vehicles’ fuel efficiency. Cars will be more expensive to fuel and dangerous emissions from transportation – already the most polluting sector in the country – will jump.

More pollution in our communities

In addition to boosting dirty energy, a new “pay to play” system allows Big Oil and other corporations to jam through massive polluting projects by simply paying a fee to sidestep environmental review and community input. Our communities deserve to have their voices heard when polluting projects are proposed in our neighborhoods. Without these protections, our communities will suffer while wealthy developers pay to break the rules meant to protect our health.

And if that wasn’t enough, the Big Ugly Bill also defunds programs that are helping clean up pollution in our schools, and from the dirty diesel trucks and buses that drive through our communities. It even cuts funding to track this harmful air pollution.

This new law will make our communities sicker while fossil fuel billionaires get richer.

Lifesaving programs eliminated

Not only does the Big Ugly Bill cut pollution reduction programs, it defunds other lifesaving programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) to pay for tax breaks for billionaires. The bill strips:

While everyday people are going hungry, breathing dirtier air, and dying because they are unable to cover their medical costs, billionaires and big corporations will be getting massive giveaways and tax breaks to the tune of trillions of dollars.

@lcvoters It might feel hard right now but we’ve done hard things before. Now, more than ever, we need everyone in this fight — to fight for a liveable future, to fight for our planet, to fight for us all. Text LCV to 877-877 to join us and get involved. #Environment #Climate #FYP #Politics ♬ original sound – League of Conservation Voters

The Big Ugly Bill is a disaster for our jobs, the economy, public health, and the environment. It’s also unpopular with the vast majority of people across the country.

Republicans promised to bring down prices and make our lives easier, but this massive law will do the opposite. We must hold Republicans in Congress accountable for their terrible votes and broken promises.

Republicans advanced this bill through backroom deals and middle-of-the-night markups because they know how unpopular it is. We can’t let them get away with covering up what they’ve done. Take five minutes today to:

• Send a message to Tell Your Members of Congress: Stop Increasing Our Costs,
• Spread the word to your friends and family by sharing this blog post on Bluesky, Facebook, X and your other social media,
• See our state affiliates list to learn more about local efforts near you, and
• Learn more ways to Get Involved!