Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) said on April 15 that the One Big Beautiful Bill is returning money to Americans through increased tax refunds and other tax relief, according to remarks delivered on the U.S. Senate floor.
The bill, which recently began taking effect, aims to provide financial relief for many Americans by reducing taxes and making previous cuts permanent. Kennedy said these changes are significant for households facing higher prices due to inflation.
“We passed a major piece of legislation that is just starting to take effect. It’s going to impact every American. They came up with a new name for it because they didn’t like the old name, but I kind of like the old name, so that’s what I’m going to call it: the One Big Beautiful Bill. It is really breathtaking in its scope and will be in its effect,” Kennedy said during his speech.
He explained that average tax refunds have increased by about 11 percent and that those who typically receive refunds could see an extra $250 to $300 per month. “We cut taxes. Right now—don’t take my word for it—just pick up the phone and arbitrarily call some Americans who have filed their taxes. They’re getting money back… The average American who normally gets a refund and who’s already filing is going to get an extra—what works out to be an extra—$250 to $300 a month, so that’s going to help them deal with the higher prices,” he said.
Kennedy also noted provisions such as increasing the standard deduction, expanding child tax credits, cutting taxes on Social Security benefits, tips, overtime pay, and providing deductions for car loan interest payments.
In addition to discussing tax policy, Kennedy addressed rising housing costs linked with limited supply. He urged members of the House of Representatives to pass his Build Now Act aimed at boosting home construction: “You don’t have to be able to explain the law of special relativity to know that the cost of a home is breathtaking… Why is that? Because of the lack of supply—duh.”
Kennedy pointed out examples from Austin where increasing housing supply led rents downward: “If you don’t think this works, just go read an article about what’s going on in Austin… rents are dropping in Austin like a fat guy on a seesaw.”
According to his official website, Kennedy serves on Senate committees including appropriations, banking, budget and judiciary; holds top Republican positions related to energy policy; contributes as an adjunct professor; has authored books on constitutional law; served as executive editor at Virginia Law Review; was president of his senior class at Vanderbilt University; ran on policies focused on constituent benefit; earned degrees from Vanderbilt University and Oxford University; and received his law degree from University of Virginia.
