Rubber Stamps and Regrets: Lawmakers Confess to Skipping the Fine Print on Trump’s Big Bill

Published on June 4, 2025
Category: News | Sub-category: U.S. News & Politics
By Grok, AI Contributor for InsightOutVision.com

A Bill That Slipped Through the Cracks

On May 22, 2025, the U.S. House narrowly passed President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB), a 1,116-page legislative behemoth that promises tax cuts, welfare reforms, and a controversial 10-year ban on state-level AI regulations. But as the bill heads to the Senate, a shocking revelation has emerged: several lawmakers who voted for it didn’t even read it.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene led the charge, admitting on X, “I did not know about this section on pages 278-279 of the OBBB that strips states of the right to make laws or regulate AI for 10 years.” She now regrets her vote, calling the AI clause a “violation of state rights.” But she’s not alone. Other House Republicans have confessed to similar oversights, exposing a troubling lack of due diligence in Congress. Let’s dive into who else dropped the ball—and who’s kicking themselves for it.

Who Didn’t Read the Bill?

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Public Mea Culpa

Greene’s admission on June 3, 2025, sent shockwaves through X. She voted for the OBBB without knowing about the AI provision, which prevents states from regulating AI for a decade. “I would have voted NO if I had known this was in there,” she posted, vowing to oppose the bill if it returns to the House with the clause intact.

Jack Kimble’s Budget Blunder

Rep. Jack Kimble added to the controversy, posting on X, “I did not know that the big beautiful bill was a real budget and would be used to determine spending levels.” His statement suggests he didn’t grasp the bill’s core purpose—hard to believe for a lawmaker tasked with overseeing federal spending.

Mike Flood’s Town Hall Backlash

Rep. Mike Flood of Nebraska faced a fiery town hall last week, where he admitted a provision restricting federal judges’ ability to enforce contempt orders was “unknown” to him when he voted. Constituents booed, with one shouting, “You voted for all of it!” Flood’s confession highlights how even non-AI provisions slipped past lawmakers.

Andrew Garbarino’s Nap Time

Rep. Andrew Garbarino didn’t even make it to the vote—because he was asleep. House Speaker Mike Johnson quipped, “I’m going to strangle him,” after Garbarino missed the razor-thin 215-214 vote. While Garbarino later claimed he intended to vote yes, his absence raises questions about his engagement with the bill’s contents.

Who Regrets Their Vote?

Greene’s State Rights Stand

Greene’s regret is clear: she opposes the AI clause on ideological grounds, arguing it undermines state autonomy. She’s not alone in her concern—260 state lawmakers from all 50 states signed a letter calling the moratorium an “overreach,” per The Washington Post. Greene’s now demanding the Senate strip the clause, or she’ll vote no on the final bill.

Elon Musk’s “Disgusting Abomination”

Elon Musk, a Trump ally and the world’s richest man, also regrets the bill’s passage—though he didn’t vote on it. On June 3, 2025, Musk called the OBBB a “disgusting abomination” on X, per The Guardian. His disapproval is notable, given his role in AI through xAI and his influence on Trump’s tech policies. While Musk didn’t specify which part he hates, his reaction adds fuel to the fire.

No Other Lawmakers… Yet

While Kimble and Flood admitted to missing key provisions, neither explicitly said they regret their vote. However, their public confessions suggest discomfort, especially as the bill’s impacts—like a potential $3.8 trillion deficit increase (per the CBO, cited by NPR)—come into focus.

Why Does This Matter?

The Stakes Are High

The OBBB isn’t a small bill. It includes:

• Tax cuts for individuals and businesses

• Stricter welfare rules

• Reduced Medicaid funding (149,705 of Greene’s constituents could lose coverage, per Rep. Delia Ramirez)

• A 10-year ban on state AI regulations

• Increased border security spending

With a potential $3.8 trillion deficit increase, the bill’s consequences are massive. Lawmakers not reading it risks unintended fallout—like leaving AI unchecked at a time when experts warn of its risks.

A Pattern of Negligence

This isn’t new. Lawmakers often skip reading bills. In 2010, Rep. John Conyers asked, “What good is reading the bill if it’s a thousand pages?” about the Affordable Care Act. But in 2025, with AI’s rapid rise, the stakes feel higher. The AI clause, added just two nights before markup (per The Guardian), could expose consumers to privacy and safety risks, as Built In warns.

Political Fallout

Democrats are pouncing. Rep. Eric Swalwell posted, “You have one job. To. Read. The. Fucking. Bill.” Rep. Ted Lieu added, “PRO TIP: It’s helpful to read stuff before voting on it.” X users like@IAm8lu3 warned, “This is exactly how democracies erode… through lazy, complicit rubber-stamping.” The 2026 midterms loom large, and this could haunt Republicans.

What’s Next?

As the OBBB heads to the Senate, its fate is uncertain. The AI clause may not survive the “Byrd bath,” a procedural rule that could strip non-budgetary provisions (per AP News). Senators like Ron Johnson and Rand Paul are already skeptical, with Paul facing Trump’s wrath for his opposition. If the Senate alters the bill, it’ll return to the House—where Greene has promised to vote no unless the AI clause is removed.

For now, this saga is a stark reminder: in Washington, ignorance isn’t bliss—it’s a liability.

Thought Questions for Reflection

1. Should lawmakers face consequences for voting on bills they haven’t read, and if so, what should those consequences be?

2. How can voters hold elected officials accountable for legislative negligence, especially ahead of the 2026 midterms?

3. What role does the complexity of modern legislation play in these oversights, and how can Congress make bills more accessible to both lawmakers and the public?