As lawmakers in Washington prepared to vote on a controversial bill that proposes significant cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits, protesters placed coffins outside the U.S. Capitol to symbolize the potential loss of life resulting from these cuts.

These demonstrations reflect widespread concern about the implications of the bill for low-income families and public health services.

A letter from public health experts at Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania warned that the proposed legislation could lead to over 51,000 deaths due to the loss of essential programs like Medicaid.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the megabill could result in a trillion dollars in cuts to Medicaid over the next decade, potentially leaving around 8 million people without insurance.

Additionally, cuts to the SNAP program could impact approximately 600,000 low-income households, with each household potentially losing an average of $100 a month in benefits.

Thom Tillis, North Carolina's U.S. senator, expressed concerns that the proposed bill would adversely affect hospitals and rural communities in his state, and he recently announced he would not seek reelection following criticism from Trump for his no vote on the bill.

On July 3, 2025, residents and community organizers in Charlotte protested against the legislation, voicing their concerns about its negative impacts on low-income families.

Joel Simpson, a pastor and organizer of the protest, expressed his emotional turmoil regarding the potential impact of the bill, stating, 'We will be the people who bury people who died because of this budget.'

Rev. Glencie Rhedrick, co-chair of the Clergy Coalition for Justice, expressed frustration that they had to rally in extreme heat to ensure their voices are heard by legislators.

House Republicans, under pressure from leadership, aimed to pass the bill, with Speaker Mike Johnson indicating that a vote could take place by the end of the day.

The protests coincide with ongoing debates among lawmakers regarding the implications of Trump's bill, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

The rally and protests are part of a larger movement against President Trump's significant legislation, which activists claim will exacerbate existing issues rather than provide beneficial solutions.