U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., has trained lots of eyeballs on Nebraska 2nd Congressional District, the “Blue Dot,” after he announced he would not seek re-election next year when we celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial.

Yes, that’s the word.

Even so, the focus was diffused because Bacon’s decision came amid the process of Congress passing and the president signing the “one, big beautiful bill.” Sure we’re not taxing tips (up to a point), Social Security (well, for a couple years for some) and the winners tell us peace and prosperity are on the horizon.

That characterization is a cruel irony, however, because at its core the new law is not beautiful but rather ugly on its face, a design to disfigure wide swaths of America as we know it.

Real Impact

The following are some lowlights from this Big Ugly, all of which Nebraska’s delegation — including the departing Bacon —thought were good ideas:

• Take away Medicaid coverage for an estimated 17 million, including an estimated 40,000 Nebraskans.
• Reduce SNAP food support for hungry children and disabled vets.
• Create a huge domestic police force and build ominous “camps” eerily reminiscent of horrid human history.
• Give tax breaks to those who need them least while cutting benefits for those who need them most.
• Balloon the deficit by nearly $4 trillion.
• Eliminate funds for contempt of court orders, effectively restricting the judiciary from enforcing its rulings.
• Jeopardize rural health care facilities with Medicaid cuts. Last Thursday, the day the Big Ugly passed, a Nebraska clinic closed in Curtis, citing the anticipated loss of support.

How does any of that better the lives of Nebraskans — or the rest of the country for that matter?

Supporters in Congress and the White House press room gaslighted us or simply lied about the effects of the law.

For example, Medicaid cuts, they argued, were necessary because of “waste, fraud, and abuse,” which, aside from a few harrowing anecdotes, never became specific numbers. Some said Medicaid would not be cut, even when every credible economic forecast, including Congress’ own research at the CBO said otherwise.

The deflection is on brand. The Big Ugly is not only carbuncle unattractive; it is unpopular. Polls showed it underwater, both as a whole and in its individual parts.

Nor was the bill particularly popular in the House or the Senate, where Vice President J.D. Vance had to cast the deciding 51st vote. Several senators, most notably Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski, spoke bravely and boldly against the bill … then voted for it after securing some carveouts for her state. So much for the brave and the bold.

Nevertheless, it passed. Bacon joined Nebraska’s U.S. Reps. Adrian Smith and Mike Flood, plus U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer and Pete Rickitts as dependable rubber stamps in the face of massive unpopularity.

In a rural state like Nebraska, the specter of small hospitals closing is just one potential horror story that the hits to Medicaid could produce. Next year, Nebraskans have a chance at the ballot box to express themselves.

Trump Whipped Votes

The current iteration of politics that Bacon is choosing to leave was in clear relief as I watched the PBS NewsHour last week. During a segment called “Politics Monday,” Amy Walter, the well-respected political reporter and poll watcher from the Cook Political Report was discussing the conundrum for GOP members in the House and Senate who had misgivings about the Big Ugly.

She said they faced either the wrath and retribution of the president if they voted against the bill or the wrath and retribution of Elon Musk (yes, him again) who had joined the fray against the Big Ugly. Walters said that politically they were better off pleasing the president for fear of being called out on social media or “primaried,” apparently the modern equivalent of political doom.

Really? This is where we are? What about the wrath and retribution of voters? Are members of Congress not there to solve problems or move America forward or pay attention to constituents’ aggregate concerns but rather to keep their jobs, please their party and serve the president —no matter the price? Today that’s the cost of the nation-changing Big Ugly.

Some argue congressional term limits would solve that problem. Maybe, but the loss of institutional knowledge and increased influence of PACs and lobbyists would arrive with term limits, creating a different set of  problems. Besides, the issue isn’t structural.

I’m not suggesting Jimmy Stewart’s naive, platitude-spouting Jefferson Smith return to Washington. Or maybe I am. I do wonder, though, what has happened to independent political voices? To statesmen and stateswomen? To profiles in courage?

We’ll see if Nebraskans and Americans want to find some in 2026.

This story was published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom providing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. Read the original article: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/07/07/unattractive-and-unpopular-now-law/

Opinions expressed by columnists in The Daily Record are not necessarily those of its management or staff, and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Any errors or omissions should be called to our attention so that they may be corrected. Contact us at news@omahadailyrecord.com.