Senate GOP Plan Cuts Renewable Energy Subsidies, Medicaid Spending

The U.S. Senate's version of President Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' includes significant cuts to renewable energy tax incentives and introduces a new excise tax on wind and solar projects, sparking widespread criticism from industry groups, renewable energy advocates, and business leaders like Elon Musk. These provisions threaten to undermine clean energy development by penalizing projects with supply chain ties to foreign entities, especially China, and could lead to higher electricity prices and job losses. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has publicly questioned the reliability and cost-effectiveness of wind and solar energy, despite evidence and studies showing renewables are economically viable and critical for grid security. Meanwhile, the bill also imposes stricter Medicaid work requirements and cuts funding, which some senators warn could cause millions to lose access to healthcare, particularly affecting states' hospitals and rural communities. Republican senators defend these Medicaid reforms as necessary to reduce fraud and ensure the program's sustainability for the future. The bill reflects President Trump's agenda to maximize fossil fuel production while reducing support for clean energy, raising concerns about its impact on energy reliability and climate goals.