A new memo being sent to House Republicans on Monday is encouraging them to tout new work requirements for Medicaid and federal food benefits, as lawmakers return to their districts for Congress’ annual August recess period. The memo, from Advancing American Freedom (AAF), a group founded by former Vice President Mike Pence, provides strategic guidance on messaging the bill to constituents. The memo positions Democratic attacks as ‘Left Wing operatives…already working to distort and malign every part of the [one big, beautiful bill].’
Democrats have accused Republicans of ripping away federal benefits like Medicaid from millions of people to give tax breaks to the wealthy, aiming to build enough outrage to carry them to the House of Representatives in 2026. The AAF memo urges Republicans to highlight that ‘every Democrat voted against’ the bill, with three of its strongest points. For instance, it emphasizes the bill’s extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) avoided a cumulative $4 trillion tax increase for working families.
The bill also includes $165 billion to secure the border, including 3,000 new border patrol agents, $10,000 bonuses for ICE and Border Patrol agents, and $46.5 billion for the wall. It also allocates $150 billion for military rebuilding. In addition to tax cuts, energy provisions, and spending cuts, AAF encourages GOP lawmakers to directly address Democratic criticisms of federal benefit reforms.
The memo touts ‘commonsense Medicaid reforms’ like work requirements for able-bodied adults who are not caretakers or parents of children under 15 years old in Medicaid and SNAP programs. It also notes the bill reduces payments for Medicaid to states covering illegal aliens and requires regular reviews to ensure ineligible people are not enrolled. AAF also highlights other conservative policies, such as defunding Planned Parenthood for a year, a new tax credit for school choice, and disincentivizing gambling by letting gamblers only write off 90% of their losses.
House Republicans face challenges as recent polls indicate 58% of registered voters disapprove of the bill, compared to 39% who support it. The gap between Republicans and Democrats is significant—73% of Republican voters approved, versus 10% of Democrats. Independents are even more critical, with 29% opposing to 70% supporting. However, Democrats are also in a tough position, as a new poll shows a growing number of Democratic voters perceive their party as ‘weak’ and ‘ineffective.’