News - September 18, 2025 - by Ray Hagar

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Nevada's 3rd U.S. House District Rep. Susie Lee, D-LV, said President Donald Trump's "One Big, Beautiful Bill" will have a devastating effect on many Nevadans, especially those on the lower end of the economic scale.

"We're in for a world of hurt as a result of this bill," Lee said this week on Nevada Newsmakers.

Lee, during the interview from Washington D.C., said she sees trouble looming for many Nevada households and individuals for healthcare, education, food security, energy and insurance premiums.

"It's really going to hurt a state like Nevada," she told host Sam Shad.

The negative impact of the OBBB could trickle down into state government, forcing Gov. Joe Lombardo to call a special session of the Legislature to deal with increased demands on state services because of federal budget cuts, Lee said.

"I don't know if he's going to have a special session or not," Lee said of Lombardo. "We'll wait and see what they decide at the Legislature. But if I were a betting person, I'd bet they will."

Lee mentioned a possible special session twice in the Nevada Newsmakers interview.

"This bill has so many bad things for the state of Nevada and I expect that we're going to see the state Legislature come back (in a special session) because they're going to have to deal with (issues), whether you're talking about revenue shortfalls, but also shortfalls because of all of these cuts in federal contributions to our state," she said.

Lee is not the first high-ranking Nevada elected official to predict a special session for 2025.

Steve Yeager, Speaker of the Assembly since the 2022 Legislature, said in May on Nevada Newsmakers that cuts in federal appropriations could force a special session later this year.

"I still think it's likely we're going to end up in special session in September, October, or when the federal budget gets figured out," Yeager said then. "I mean, I'm crossing both fingers that maybe I'm wrong about that."

Solar energy concerns

Lee said Nevada's solar energy industry is also at risk because of the OBBB.

Gov. Lombardo shares her concerns, Lee said.

In August, Lombardo sent a letter to the Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, outlining his concerns on recent federal changes to solar energy development on federal and private lands.

"They rolled back tax breaks for solar energy development," Lee said. "Nevada is the leading state in terms of solar energy potential in the country."

Nevada's solar energy industry also helps the state lessen its dependence on the tourism/resort industry, Lee said.

"You know, we talk about diversifying our economy," Lee said. "Solar energy is one of those areas. But that Big, Beautiful Bill rolled back all of those incentives for that type of development in our state."

Lee said she is also trying to reason with Department of Interior officials to make changes in the Trump administration policies, as to not harm Nevada's solar industry.

"I had the opportunity to talk to the assistant (Dept. of Interior) secretary, and get a commitment that he would answer us and potentially change that policy, which would be so devastating to solar industry in our state," Lee said.

Possible health insurance hikes

Lee said she refers to the OBBB with language you can't print, "because of the devastation that it will wreak upon our state."

"About 115,000 Nevadans will be forced off of Medicaid," she said. "What that will do is result in not just them losing access to health insurance, but for all of us, we'll be seeing our insurance premiums increase."

For some, insurance premiums could be doubled.

Lee gave the example of a couple, both over 60, who earn $80,000 annually and a family of four living on $60,000 annually.

"In both of these scenarios, they are going to see their health insurance increase by over 100 percent," Lee said. "That means whatever they're paying for health insurance today, it is going to double. Think about that."

The healthcare implications of the OBBB doesn't stop there, Lee said.

"There is a projection that two rural hospitals, I think they're in Mark Amodei's (congressional) district, are projected to potentially close as a result of this.

"What it also means is that younger people, who maybe can't afford health insurance, are going to go without it. And so you're going to have a sicker population, an older population on Medicare and insurance that's going to drive up the premiums even more.

"So on top of this, you have the cuts in education, in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)," Lee added.

Some of her constituents are "tremendously scared" about the near future, Lee said.

"If you're a parent of a child with disabilities, seeing the repeal of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Education on top of seeing disability services rolled back ... I mean, these are people who we hear from. They are tremendously scared about what the future looks like for their family in our state."

All this, Lee says, to help the wealthy.

"The reason why is because this bill gives tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans," Lee said. "That's what the bill's ultimate goal is -- to take away from Medicaid recipients, to take away from people who rely on SNAP, to take away from children with disabilities, so they literally could give handouts in terms of tax breaks."

Lee warned the perks for regular folks weaved into the OBBB are deceiving.

"I want to point out that the tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans in this bill are permanent," Lee said. "And, you know, we supported no tax on tips, which is also in this bill along with tax reductions for Social Security and overtime. But guess what? Those aren't permanent.

"They expire in 2028," Lee said. "So you know, the unfairness of this bill is just unbelievable."

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