Democrats joined together to vote “no” on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with one senator calling it “bad for our country” and “bad for our families.” But is that an accurate critique?
While the legislative package signed into law by President Trump on July 4 traces its lineage to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, this updated version goes well beyond tax reduction — it’s about expanding opportunity. From child savings accounts to stronger investment in Opportunity Zones and education choice, the new law gives American families the tools to rise — and to build.
At its core, the ‘big, beautiful bill’ expands economic opportunity in every zip code.
One of the law’s most immediate benefits is the massive tax relief it delivers to working- and middle-class households.
For example, a married family of four earning $100,000 is expected to see its tax bill shrink by close to $3,000 annually. That’s not just down to lower tax rates, but to the doubling of the standard deduction.
Moreover, a single restaurant server will realize up to $1,300 in tax relief with the act’s No Tax on Tips provision. Additionally, a veteran working an overtime job, like 4.8 million other veterans, will receive $1,400 in tax savings.
These savings aren’t just pennies to the dollar. This is money for child care, car repairs, rent or groceries — real expenses that a family relies on to survive. Small businesses stand to benefit from these tax breaks too, giving entrepreneurs the breathing room needed to hire at a decent wage, expand and reinvest in their businesses.
What sets this law apart is how it pairs near-term relief with long-term wealth building. The new child savings account provision is a prime example.
Every American newborn will receive an account with $1,000 from Uncle Sam that grows tax-free over time, generating the kind of seed capital that could one day fund higher education, a first home, or a small business. It’s a simple but transformative tool.
Whether a child is born in Seattle or South Bend, this provision offers a path to generational wealth that doesn’t depend on zip code, income level or political affiliation. It provides every American access to a head start in life.
Just as access to financial opportunity is essential for every child, so too is the freedom to pursue a quality education. Through Opportunity Scholarships, the legislation empowers parents to choose the learning environment that best fits their child’s needs.
Families will receive financial support to send their children to private, charter, or faith-based schools — a powerful lifeline for families in communities where public education has failed their children.
That kind of flexibility shouldn’t be a luxury. With this bill, it will become a national standard.
The new law also extends and expands the Opportunity Zones program. Originally established under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Opportunity Zones channel private capital into historically overlooked communities through smart tax incentives.
Under the new provisions, Opportunity Zones will prioritize rural communities and include enhanced transparency measures to ensure investments translate into real impact.
According to the White House Council of Economic Advisers, the program’s expansion is projected to drive more than $100 billion in private investment into underserved regions across the country.
Taken alone, these provisions support American workers, parents, and entrepreneurs. Put together, the new law forms a unified strategy for upward economic mobility — one that aligns tax relief, education reform, savings, and local investment into a coherent framework for growth.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act lowers costs for families today while investing in the next generation’s ability to grow, save, and thrive. That’s a law that creates real opportunity for every American.
Jill Homan serves as deputy director for tconomy and trade and campaign director for American revival at the America First Policy Institute.
