Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich isn't mincing words about the Republican-backed One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He's calling it a "Big Ugly Nightmare" and warning voters to pay close attention before the 2026 midterms roll around.

In a recent post on X, Reich laid out exactly why he thinks the legislation will hurt ordinary Americans starting immediately. "It's a big, ugly nightmare that gives tax cuts to the super rich while the rest of us get shafted," he said, emphasizing that the consequences aren't some distant future problem but something people will feel this year.

Healthcare And Food Assistance Face Historic Cuts

The healthcare cuts are unprecedented, according to Reich. He says the bill represents the largest reduction to healthcare funding in American history, with roughly 15 million people losing coverage over the next decade. About half would lose Medicaid eligibility, while others would be priced out as Affordable Care Act subsidies disappear.

Then there's food assistance. The bill slashes funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in ways that Reich says will hurt far more than just individual families. "They are taking food away from about 4 million Americans, including about 1 million children," he explained.

But the ripple effects go wider than that. Grocery stores, particularly in rural communities, depend on SNAP purchases. Farmers rely on that demand. Reich estimates they could collectively lose around $24 billion over 10 years. Food banks will face increased pressure as more people need help, and small farms could be forced to shut down entirely.

"As with health care," Reich noted, "food stamps are good for the entire economy, supporting nearly 400,000 jobs."

Energy Costs Expected To Rise As Clean Projects Get Axed

Reich also takes issue with the bill's energy provisions, saying it "gives massive handouts to big oil, while cutting clean energy investments." One immediate casualty is the Revolution Wind project, which was nearly complete and designed to power 350,000 homes across Rhode Island and Connecticut. That project has now been halted.

The shift away from renewable energy investments will hit household budgets directly, Reich argues. "Within 10 years, the average household will be spending an extra $170 a year on energy," he said.

A Massive Expansion Of Immigration Enforcement

Perhaps Reich's sharpest criticism centers on the bill's $170 billion allocation for immigration enforcement. He didn't hold back, saying the legislation "turns America into a police state."

The funding goes toward detention centers operated by private prison companies, additional ICE agents, and completing President Donald Trump's border wall. Reich also warned about an expanding surveillance infrastructure that includes license plate readers, spy towers and drones.

His closing message to voters was direct: "When November 2026 comes, remember who's responsible for making all of our lives worse."

Whether Reich's warnings resonate with voters remains to be seen, but he's clearly betting that the bill's impact will be felt long before the next election cycle.