The Elephant in the Dome Podcast Episode 219 – Braun’s Big Beautiful Bill Breakdown Host: Tracy Ellis | Guest: Senator John Braun
Tracy Ellis: It’s The Elephant in the Dome, the podcast of the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus. I’m Tracy Ellis. Joining me today is Republican Leader Senator John Braun to talk about the “Big, Beautiful Bill.” What does it mean for Washington?
Here’s what Governor Ferguson says about it:
“On Medicaid, it is impossible to overstate just how devastating this legislation will be for Washingtonians. This morally bankrupt decision will cause our most vulnerable citizens to lose health care coverage and likely force hospital closures across the state—all to pay for tax breaks for the richest Americans.”
He also weighed in on food stamps:
“This bill takes food from our most vulnerable Washingtonians to give tax breaks to the ultra wealthy.”
And on green energy:
“This bill is anything but beautiful for Washington. It’s a fossil fuel wish list that penalizes clean energy and favors pollution.”
Senator Braun, what do you think?
Senator John Braun: I think the governor is turning this into a political issue instead of focusing on the actual pros and cons of the bill. There’s more detail to consider, and we should be careful—some of this is federal legislation, not state-level policy.
Regarding Medicaid: The biggest savings come from implementing work requirements. For able-bodied individuals between ages 19 and 60—with no disabilities and no children—the bill requires 20 hours a week of work, volunteer service, or training. That’s not a high bar. It’s not unreasonable and it’s broadly popular. Over two-thirds of the savings stem from that requirement alone.
Tracy Ellis: The governor says the bill will cause vulnerable people to lose their health care coverage. Is that true?
Senator Braun: No, it’s fundamentally not true. The bill doesn’t affect children, the elderly, the disabled, or single parents. It targets able-bodied adults without dependents. The goal is to preserve Medicaid for those who truly need it. We’ve fought to ensure proper state-level funding for Medicaid, but it has to be well-managed. That means preventing misuse by those who don’t qualify.
Tracy Ellis: Governor Ferguson says the bill will likely force hospital closures across the state. What’s your take?
Senator Braun: That’s ironic coming from a governor who signed tax bills and changes to public employee benefits that actually hurt rural hospitals.
The federal bill recognizes the risks and sets aside roughly $10 billion a year nationally, with Washington likely receiving hundreds of millions annually. That can support hospitals through the transition.
Our state’s flawed provider tax system—where hospitals tax themselves to get federal matching funds—is bad policy. Even economists across the board agree. The bill phases this out gradually over five years, giving states time to adjust. We’re working on legislation to reinvest state savings back into rural hospitals and encourage Democrats to join us.
Tracy Ellis: Governor Ferguson mentioned calling a special session to address the cost. What’s your response?
Senator Braun: There are savings and costs—but the costs depend on state-level decisions. None of the federal changes take effect until December 2026. That gives us time to adjust through regular sessions. A special session is premature and political.
Tracy Ellis: What about food stamps? The governor says this bill will take food away from vulnerable people.
Senator Braun: Again, that’s fearmongering. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is fully federally funded, including administration costs. The bill shifts a small portion of the administrative expenses to states and adds accountability.
If a state’s misallocation rate is under 6%, there’s no change. Washington has stayed within that threshold, so we should be fine. The bill encourages efficient administration.
Tracy Ellis: It also adds work requirements like Medicaid, right?
Senator Braun: Yes. Encouraging work is a positive step. For able-bodied adults without dependents, requiring 20 hours a week of work, training, or job-seeking is very reasonable. The bill includes thoughtful exemptions to avoid harming vulnerable people. It’s about supporting success.
Tracy Ellis: Some say the paperwork involved with these programs is too difficult and causes people who qualify to lose access. What’s your take?
Senator Braun: Honestly, that argument is frustrating—especially from the side that constantly pushes for more bureaucracy.
We’re asking for verification just twice a year. This is manageable compared to other responsibilities people have, like paying monthly bills. Poor administration recently led to $150 million in wasted Medicaid dollars due to dual enrollment in multiple states. Verifying eligibility is essential to preserving funds for those who truly need help.
Tracy Ellis: Let’s talk about energy. The governor says it’s a fossil fuel wish list that penalizes clean energy. Is that accurate?
Senator Braun: What the bill actually does is promote affordability. Washington has become one of the most expensive states, largely due to energy policies like the Climate Commitment Act and the Clean Energy Transformation Act.
Affordable energy helps everyone—especially working families. Our push to transition to electric hasn’t been matched with the necessary capacity. We’ve closed plants without building replacements. We need to broaden our thinking to include reliable sources like natural gas, not just solar and wind.
Tracy Ellis: So, overall, does the Big Beautiful Bill help or hurt Washington?
Senator Braun: I think it’s a good thing. Yes, it requires change—but it brings accountability and efficiency to programs like Medicaid and SNAP. It protects funding for those who truly need it.
And don’t forget agriculture. The bill fixes issues in the Climate Commitment Act that have unfairly burdened agricultural fuel use. That’s a major win, especially for Eastern Washington.
If we stop the fearmongering and focus on the actual content of the bill, I think Washingtonians will see long-term benefits.
Tracy Ellis: Affordability has been a big priority for Republicans. How does the bill affect affordability?
Senator Braun: This federal bill brings tax relief—on tips, on Social Security, and for working families. That’s the opposite of what our state just did. The Democratic majority passed $13 billion in regressive taxes over four years. This bill is good news on affordability.
Tracy Ellis: If Democrats do call a special session to help those they say might lose coverage, how will Republicans respond—especially regarding Medicaid?
Senator Braun: I’d like to hear who they think is losing coverage. The bill protects the truly vulnerable. If somehow someone slips through, we’d absolutely support redirecting savings to address that. But based on what I’ve seen, I don’t expect that to happen.
Tracy Ellis: To wrap up: What are your overall thoughts on Medicaid and food stamps? Are these programs you support?
Senator Braun: Absolutely. These programs are vital—but they must be managed responsibly. That means ensuring resources go where they’re needed and not allowing waste.
Work requirements and efficiency measures are fair and necessary if we want to sustain these programs long-term. The bill isn’t perfect, but it’s thoughtful. It’s about preserving support for those who truly need it, and making the programs work better.
Tracy Ellis: That’s Senate Republican Leader John Braun. I’m Tracy Ellis, and this is The Elephant in the Dome, the official podcast of the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus.