In a striking move following his retirement announcement, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) has openly criticized a budget proposal backed by his own party and President Donald Trump.
The senator’s primary concerns with the proposal, referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, include significant reductions to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), potentially impacting 11.8 million individuals who might lose their health coverage.
During a fervent Sunday night address on the Senate floor, Tillis declared, “I am telling the president that you have been misinformed. You supporting the Senate [bill] will hurt people who are eligible and qualified for Medicaid.”
The bill is designed to cut discretionary spending by trillions, facilitating tax reductions for wealthy individuals and large corporations. It proposes changes to health care policy, including stricter Medicaid work requirements, limitations on state Medicaid funding, and the expiration of tax credits aiding the affordability of private health insurance.
Tillis was among only two Republican senators who opposed the bill’s progression in a Saturday vote. The following day, he revealed he would not seek another term, a decision seemingly influenced by the political repercussions he anticipates if the bill is enacted.
Approximately three million residents of North Carolina are Medicaid beneficiaries. President Trump has made several commitments not to support cuts to this program.
Tillis expressed his frustration, questioning, “What do I tell 663,000 people, in two years or three years, when President Donald Trump breaks his promise by pushing them off Medicaid? Republicans are about to make a mistake.”
The Senate is expected to pass the bill later this week, after which it will return to the House for additional modifications. Although Trump initially aimed to sign the bill by July 4, this has been delayed to July 7.
Interest in Tillis’ soon-to-be-vacant seat is already building among Republicans, with potential candidates including Rep. Tim Moore, Rep. Richard Hudson, and Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law.
On the Democratic side, former Rep. Wiley Nickel is currently the most notable contender. There is also speculation about former Gov. Roy Cooper entering the race.
Nickel stated, “No matter which MAGA loyalist Donald Trump hand-picks to run in North Carolina, I’m the Democrat who’s ready to take them on and win. North Carolinians are independent-minded and won’t be fooled by extremists pushing an agenda that puts billionaires first and working families last.”
Tillis’ newfound focus on health care represents a shift from his previous stance. He has historically opposed Medicaid expansion in North Carolina under the ACA and has voted multiple times for its repeal.
The Cook Political Report classifies the race for Tillis’ seat as a “toss up,” indicating a competitive and unpredictable contest.
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