Southern Fallout: How the GOP Spending Bill Will Fare in These Key States
With a $13 billion cut to non-defense discretionary spending, Black communities in the South, many of which rely on federal funding - will be hit the hardest.
After weeks of tense negotiations and party infighting, the Republican-backed Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (H.R. 1968) was signed into law — averting a government shutdown but igniting widespread backlash from Democrats.
The bill, which slashed $13 billion from non-defense discretionary spending, faced intense scrutiny from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who initially criticized provisions that cut federal aid to social programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. However, Schumer, with the support of 10 more Democrats, ultimately decided to support the bill, a move that infuriated the majority of his party and constituents.
The bill passed with a 54–46 vote in the Senate and a 217–213 vote in the House, with strong GOP support in the South.
Southern Democrats held the line against the bill — only four out of 26 Southern Senators are Democrats — Jon Ossoff (GA), Raphael Warnock (GA), Mark Warner (VA), and Tim Kaine (VA) — all voted against the bill. No Southern House Democrat voted for the spending bill. Conversely, Southern Republicans backed the bill, with two exceptions — Sen. Rand Paul and House Rep. Thomas Massie, both from Kentucky.
Despite pushback from Democratic leadership, President Trump signed the bill into law, securing a major win for House and Senate Republicans, who argued the cuts were necessary to rein in government spending.
While the political fallout from the bill runs deep, in the South, it runs deeper.
The Five Southern States Most at Risk
While the bill will impact millions nationwide, many Southern states — where Black populations have higher reliance on federal funding for healthcare, housing, education, and food assistance are greater could now face devastating cuts in resources that could further widen racial and economic disparities.
Mississippi (Federal Dependency Score: 90.5)
As one of the most federally dependent Southern states in terms of healthcare, housing, and education, Mississippi stands to be hit the hardest. The state has some of the highest rates of chronic illness, eviction rates, and over half of the Black students in the state rely on Title I school funding.
House Rep. Bennie Thompson (D) who voted NO on the bill, called out the contradictions in the GOP-backed cuts, tweeting: “Did you know Mississippi gets $2.34 back for every $1 we send to D.C. and nearly half our state budget comes from federal funds? Yet, Trump, Elon, and Republicans want to cut Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP.”
Alabama (Federal Dependency Score: 86.4)
Another Southern state with significant reliance on federal funding, Alabama faces cuts for already high-eviction rates in cities like Birmingham and Montgomery. In addition, as many as 750,000 Alabamians rely on food assistance such as SNAP/WIC, meaning cuts to nutrition programs could further increase food insecurity.
House Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D), who also voted no on the bill, said that the spending bill “…kicks families out of their homes and slashes funding to preserve the state’s civil rights history. “Alabama families shouldn’t be forced to foot the bill for billionaire’s tax cuts,” she said on Twitter.
Kentucky (Federal Dependency Score: 84.2)
As the state with one of the highest Medicaid expansion enrollments in the South, Kentucky could face cuts that will affect healthcare access and hospital closures. The state is also heavily reliant on public school funding, which could also be hit and hurt disabled or low-income students.
Sen. Rand Paul (R), one of two Republicans who voted no, said the bill would guarantee this year's deficit would exceed $2 trillion. “There’s nothing conservative about these spending levels; no fiscal conservative should support this.”
Louisiana (Federal Dependency Score: 76)
Reductions in public health funding could leave many more communities in Louisiana without care, given that the state has one of the highest uninsured rates in the South. Louisiana also frequently relies on federal funds for hurricane recovery and flooding prevention. These cuts could slow future recovery efforts.
Congressman Troy A. Carter (D) called the bill dangerous and said its passage would further embolden the reckless Musk-Trump administration.
“This bill threatens vital programs and services that Louisiana families rely on,” he said on Twitter. “It makes it abundantly clear that Republicans are more interested in catering to their mega-billionaire donors than in fulfilling their duty to the American people.”
South Carolina (Federal Dependency Score: 64)
With a large aging population, South Carolina may face a reduction in social support services that could harm its elderly residents. In addition, the state also receives a large share of Title I and special education funding, aid that helps mostly low-income and Black students. Cuts will disproportionately impact them and their communities, who could also be affected by rental assistance program reductions.
However, Sen. Tim Scott (R) criticized Democrats like Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff for voting no on the bill, citing that “the most important thing in regards to supporting the bill is averting a government shutdown, closing the border and paying our troops.
“Once again, Ossoff sides with the most radical members of his party,” he wrote on Twitter. “Securing our border, paying our troops, and helping our Veterans is basic common sense. But Democrats rather cozy up to the most extreme members of the left, shutdown the government, and play politics with the essentials.”
Where Do We Go From Here?
With critical funds looming, concerned lawmakers, advocates, and community leaders are left to push targeted relief efforts, state-level solutions, and even grassroots mobilization to fill the void in the South.
“This is Washington at it’s worst,” Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock said on Twitter. “Instead of working together to put together a bipartisan package that would actually help the people, Washington Republicans closed the door on bipartisan conversations and emerged with an ultimatum: either you support this terrible bill which will do great damage or allow the government to shut down.”
Senator Warnock says he did not give in to the ultimatum because his constituents and those who supported them “should not have to fight with them to get the benefits they deserve.”
The sentiment presents a clear indicator that the 2026 elections will be key and raises the bigger question: If Southern Republicans truly cared about the economic security of their constituents in the same manner as some Southern Democrats, why did they choose to vote against that interest?
With Medicaid, housing, and education funding at risk, will the South hold their lawmakers accountable when the time comes? We will have to wait and see as Black communities across the South prepare to, once again, survive cuts that many say they didn’t ask for.
13 & South is a new publication covering news, investigative stories, and insights on social justice, policy, and systemic inequities impacting Southern Black communities.
Great article