Dozens of demonstrators were arrested at the U.S. Capitol while protesting the Republican tax and spending cut bill. The protesters, who carried black wooden coffins with red signs indicating potential Medicaid and SNAP benefit cuts in states like Florida, West Virginia, Illinois, and Kentucky, were arrested by Capitol Police. The arrests came as Senate Republicans pushed to pass the ‘big, beautiful bill’ before a July 4 deadline. The budget reconciliation bill aims to advance President Trump’s agenda on taxes, immigration, energy, defense, and the national debt. Demonstrators, including members of the Poor People’s Campaign and Repairers of the Breach, argued that the proposed cuts would harm vulnerable populations, with signs reading ‘cuts to SNAP are policy murder.’ The protests reflected growing opposition to the legislation, which has faced significant public and political resistance.
The Associated Press reported that the demonstrations took place at two locations: the Capitol Rotunda and an intersection near the U.S. Capitol Building. According to Capitol Police, the arrested individuals faced charges such as crowding, obstructing, and incommoding. One notable incident involved a man who disrupted a Senate debate, leading to his arrest and a statement from Capitol Police that the demonstrators were ‘you people are awful.’ Fox News Digital has sought additional information from U.S. Capitol Police regarding the arrests and the specifics of the disruptions.
Outside the Capitol, some demonstrators carried black wooden coffins with red signs that read ‘178,000 People In Florida Will Lose Medicaid,’ ‘This Coffin Represents Policy Murder,’ and ‘574,000 People in Florida Will Lose SNAP.’ Other coffins were adorned with similar messages for states like West Virginia, Illinois, and Kentucky. The protesters wore religious attire, indicating a diverse range of participants. One group, called Repairers of the Breach, stated that it led the effort, emphasizing a tradition of nonviolent actions at the Capitol to address unjust policies and call for national progress.
The protests come as Republican lawmakers sprint to meet the July 4 deadline to pass the massive piece of legislation. The budget reconciliation bill, if passed, would shape the national agenda on taxes, immigration, energy, defense, and the national debt. The legislation is currently in the hands of the Senate, where it faces potential challenges and debates over its impact on public programs and the economy. The arrests have sparked discussions about the role of protest in the political process and the balance between legislative action and public dissent.