Riley Lewis talks with Former U.S. Congressman about the Big Beautiful Bill
In an interview with One America News host Riley Lewis on July 2, former Congressman Jim Renacci broke down what he called the “One Big Beautiful Spending Bill”—a sweeping piece of legislation that has recently ignited debate across Washington and beyond. The conversation was sharp and unflinching, focusing on the size, scope, and strategic implications of what is being billed by some as the largest consolidation of government spending initiatives in decades. Renacci, drawing on his background as a CPA and businessman, offered a critical assessment of both the content of the bill and the underlying motives driving its passage.
Renacci began by challenging the narrative being pushed by the bill’s supporters, who describe the legislation as a bold investment in infrastructure, clean energy, and “future-proofing” the American economy. He said this bill is anything but future-proof—it’s, in his words, “present-pandering and debt-exploding.” According to Renacci, the measure is loaded with pork-barrel spending, handouts to politically favored industries, and provisions that will increase the national debt by trillions without delivering measurable returns. He emphasized that this isn’t just about fiscal irresponsibility; it’s about a philosophy of governance that seeks to centralize control and pick economic winners from Washington.
Lewis pressed Renacci on specifics, including the claim that the bill includes billions in subsidies for renewable energy and green tech. Renacci acknowledged those provisions but argued that they were crafted to benefit large multinational corporations rather than American workers or consumers. He pointed out that many of the so-called climate initiatives are tied to contracts with foreign suppliers, especially from China, creating what he described as “a dependence on our adversaries dressed up in the language of sustainability.” He warned that this could further erode domestic manufacturing, making America more vulnerable to geopolitical shifts.
Renacci also addressed the bill’s expansive digital infrastructure component, which includes funding for AI development, broadband expansion, and cybersecurity upgrades. While he said he supports targeted investments in technology, he criticized the federal government’s track record of waste and failure in tech rollouts. “We’ve seen this story before,” Renacci said, citing past examples of cost overruns and failed execution. He questioned why such initiatives weren’t being led by the private sector, which he argued is better suited for innovation and accountability.
The conversation shifted toward the politics behind the bill, and Renacci didn’t hold back. He accused lawmakers on both sides of the aisle of using the bill as a vehicle for self-promotion and future campaign ammunition. “This isn’t about the American people,” he said. “It’s about optics, about claiming victory, about sending press releases back home saying, ‘Look what I brought you.’” He expressed frustration with Republican lawmakers who, in his view, lacked the spine to oppose the bill despite knowing it was flawed. He called out the “bipartisan consensus of cowardice” and said that real leadership means standing up to spending that jeopardizes the country’s economic stability.
Lewis asked Renacci whether there was any path to compromise or reform. Renacci was skeptical. He said the only way to fix this kind of broken system is to fundamentally change the way Congress operates—starting with restoring fiscal discipline and reviving the concept of zero-based budgeting. He said most lawmakers have no idea where the money is actually going because they’re too busy reading headlines instead of balance sheets. He advocated for mandatory audits of major spending bills before they are brought to a vote and urged voters to start electing people with real-world experience who understand economics, not just politics.
In closing, Renacci said the “One Big Beautiful Spending Bill” is a misnomer. “It’s big, yes. But it’s not beautiful—it’s bloated, backward, and dangerous.” He predicted that the long-term effects of the bill will be inflationary, destabilizing, and demoralizing for taxpayers who feel their voices are being drowned out by lobbyists and bureaucrats. For him, the issue goes beyond policy—it’s a test of whether America can reclaim the values of fiscal sanity, accountability, and honest debate. And based on what he’s seeing, he warned, the country is failing that test in real time.
