La Crosse, Wisconsin | August 28, 2025 – U.S. Vice President JD Vance took center stage in Wisconsin on Thursday, promoting the Trump administration’s controversial tax and spending bill in an effort to reshape public opinion ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The visit comes as President Donald Trump seeks to rebrand the legislation, which critics say favors the wealthy and risks deep cuts to healthcare programs.
Selling the Bill to the Midwest
Speaking at Mid-City Steel in La Crosse, Vance highlighted provisions aimed at easing the financial burden on working families, such as tax cuts on tips and overtime pay. His message was direct: working-class Americans should keep more of what they earn.
“We believe that if you spend an extra hour at work, the government ought to keep its hands the hell out of your pocket,” Vance declared, drawing applause from steelworkers in attendance.
Wisconsin, a key battleground state, was chosen deliberately for this push. Vance’s recent stops in Pennsylvania and Georgia reflect the administration’s strategy of targeting swing states where economic concerns are likely to dominate voter sentiment in the lead-up to next year’s congressional elections.
The law, passed by Congress in July, has been widely criticized and remains unpopular in national polling. In a recent cabinet meeting, Trump admitted the legislation’s branding needed to change.
“I’m not going to use the term ‘great, big, beautiful’ – that was good for getting it approved, but it’s not good for explaining to people what it’s really about,” Trump said. Instead, the president has begun calling it a “major tax cut for workers.”
Vance followed suit in Wisconsin, referring to it as the “Working Families Tax Cut” rather than the previously celebrated “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The shift reflects a broader strategy to connect the measure directly to middle- and working-class households, rather than its original broad economic framing.
The Political Stakes
The stakes are high for Republicans. Inflation remains above pre-pandemic levels, interest rates are stubbornly high, and debates about the federal deficit persist. Many Americans remain skeptical that the bill will improve their financial situation.
A Pew Research Center poll conducted in August found that 49% of Americans opposed the law, while only 29% supported it. Critics worry it will increase the deficit and disproportionately benefit the wealthy.
Democrats have seized on these concerns. They point to a Congressional Budget Office estimate that projects the bill could leave 12 million more Americans uninsured over the next decade while cutting nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid.
In Wisconsin alone, state officials estimate that 276,000 residents could lose health coverage, including 63,000 childless adults affected by new Medicaid work requirements. Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could cost the state $314 million annually, leaving tens of thousands vulnerable to food insecurity.
Vance’s Rising Role
The Wisconsin stop underscored Vance’s growing role in the administration’s efforts to sell its policies. Once a political newcomer, the vice president is now emerging as a key messenger to the working class, a demographic Trump has long courted.
In his remarks, Vance emphasized middle-class tax relief, new savings accounts for children, and investments in American manufacturing. He also tied the bill to issues of public safety, pledging that the administration would send the National Guard to cities like Milwaukee if requested by local officials.
“We would love to come in and lock up those violent criminals,” he told the crowd, linking the administration’s economic agenda with its law-and-order platform.
The Road Ahead
The challenge for Vance and Trump lies in timing. While the bill promises new benefits, many will not take effect until after the midterm elections. This delay could blunt its political impact in the short term, leaving Republicans vulnerable to Democratic attacks.
Still, Vance urged voters not to be swayed by criticism. “Don’t believe the lies and don’t believe the attacks,” he said. “What we are doing with this legislation is giving you a tax cut and trying to rebuild the healthcare infrastructure in this country.”
With the November 2026 midterms fast approaching, the administration’s rebranding effort will likely intensify. For now, Vance’s Wisconsin visit represents both an opportunity and a test: can the Trump administration convince skeptical Americans that its economic vision truly benefits working families?
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