Democrats eyeing a possible presidential run in 2028 are attempting to tie Vice President JD Vance to President Donald Trump's "one big, beautiful" tax cut and spending bill.
On Tuesday, Vance cast the tiebreaking vote, allowing the Senate to pass the legislation 51-50.
With Trump serving his second term, Vance appears primed to be the "Make America Great Again" standard bearer and a strong contender for the Republican presidential nomination.
"The thing that will bankrupt this country more than any other policy is flooding the country with illegal immigration and then giving those migrants generous benefits," Vance posted Monday on X. "The OBBB fixes this problem. And therefore it must pass."
Vance proceeded to mention he had "seen many criticisms" of the bill but added everything else was "immaterial compared to the ICE money and immigration enforcement provisions."
Democrats who've been mentioned as potential presidential nominees couldn't wait to attack Vance over the megabill.
"Bookmark this. JD Vance is the ultimate reason why 17 million Americans will lose their healthcare," California Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on X.
"JD Vance was the deciding vote to cut Medicaid across the country. An absolute and utter betrayal of working families," Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., wrote on X.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also put the focus on Vance.
"VP Vance has cast the deciding vote in the Senate to cut Medicaid, take away food assistance, blow up the deficit, and add tax breaks for the wealthiest," Buttigieg said on X.
"This bill is unpopular because it is wrong. Congress votes this week, but it's our voices — and our votes — that will have the final say."
Former Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday slammed the megabill after it cleared the Senate but did not mention Vance by name.
"Thanks to Senate Republicans, 17 million people will lose their health care," Harris wrote on X.
"Thanks to Senate Republicans, rural hospitals will close. Thanks to Senate Republicans, three million Americans, including veterans and seniors, will lose food assistance. Thanks to Senate Republicans, families will see their energy bills go up by $400 a year."
"Senate Republicans are doing all of this and more — hurting working people across our nation — in order to pay for $1 trillion in tax cuts for billionaires."
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.