On June 25, 2025, at least 34 protesters were arrested in the Russell Senate Office Building during a demonstration against President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA).
The protest, organized by groups such as Popular Democracy, ADAPT, and the Debt Collective, featured a “die-in” to draw attention to the potential loss of healthcare coverage for 16 million Americans due to Medicaid cuts in the proposed bill.
Many of the demonstrators wore black shirts with the slogan “Healthcare Cuts Will Kill” and chanted “No cuts to Medicaid,” while displaying banners that read, “Senate Republicans, don’t kill us, save Medicaid.”
Capitol Police detained 33 individuals for “Crowding, Obstructing, and Incommoding,” and arrested one person outside the building for crossing a police line.
The OBBBA, which narrowly passed in the House, proposes substantial reductions to Medicaid and other social programs to reduce federal spending and extend tax cuts.
Supporters of the bill argue that it addresses important fiscal issues, while critics warn that it could severely impact low-income and vulnerable communities.
Senate Republicans are working to meet President Trump’s July 4 deadline for passing the bill, despite internal divisions and opposition from some GOP members.
The protest underscores the growing division over healthcare policy and the future of social programs in the U.S.