Tom Kean Jr. Betrays New Jersey Families with Vote for GOP’s “Big Ugly Bill”

In a display of political cowardice and warped priorities, Congressman Tom Kean Jr. today voted for the GOP’s so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill”, a sweeping, extremist package that guts essential services for working families while handing billions in tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy. The bill passed the House by a razor-thin 218–214 margin, with Kean once again casting a deciding vote against his constituents.

The legislation slashes Medicaid and food assistance, which will tear away lifelines people rely on to survive. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, 11.8 million Americans will lose health coverage under this bill—including more than 363,000 New Jersey residents, who now risk losing access to doctors, treatments, and life-saving medication.

“Tom Kean Jr. promised to fight for the middle class,” said Morris County Democratic Chair Darcy Draeger. “Instead, he voted to strip healthcare from hundreds of thousands of New Jersey families and hand our tax dollars to his fellow trust fund buddies. This isn’t leadership—it’s betrayal. But that’s par for the course for Kean. And he’s probably out on the links with his donors right now, hitting his campaign-branded golf balls to celebrate.”

Kean also broke his repeated promise to oppose any tax bill that didn’t include full repeal of the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap, a policy that disproportionately burdens New Jersey homeowners. The bill temporarily raises the cap from $10,000 to $40,000, but only until 2029, when it snaps back. This isn’t real relief, it’s a bait-and-switch that leaves New Jersey taxpayers holding the bag.

Even worse, Kean’s vote recklessly adds billions to the federal deficit, which will fuel long-term economic instability, drive up borrowing costs, and jeopardize critical investments in infrastructure, public health, and education. After campaigning to “break the back of inflation,” Kean has instead broken the backs of working families.

“Tom Kean Jr. can spin it however he wants, but the truth is this bill is an attack on New Jersey families and our economy,” Draeger said. “It’s morally bankrupt, fiscally irresponsible, and voters won’t forget. He campaigns as a moderate but again and again votes as an extremist.”

Kean has made his priorities clear: He doesn’t stand with parents struggling to afford health care or childcare, or with seniors relying on Medicaid, and certainly not with New Jersey’s working families. He sided with political power and wealthy donors over the people he was elected to represent. In 2026, New Jerseyans will have the opportunity to hold him accountable.