TRUTH vs FICTION: A Deep Dive into a McClintock Media Interview

The Turlock Journal recently sat down with Rep. Tom McClintock at his Modesto office (proving at least one office is still open) and asked some really good questions about the Republican-controlled Congress’ sweeping changes to the political and regulatory landscape contained in the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.” 

After some fact checking we find a number of McClintock’s answers were largely inaccurate and believe his constituents deserve to know the facts.  So, let’s do some fact-checking…

MCCLINTOCK SAYS:  “It stops the biggest tax increase in American history…an average family…about $2,000”

THE FACTS:

• Misleading framing: The “tax increase” he refers to would occur because the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) is set to expire, returning rates to their 2017 levels. While families would see higher rates, calling it “the biggest tax increase in history” ignores that past tax law expirations (e.g., the Bush-era rates in 2012) created larger revenue gaps.
• Reality check: CBO estimates average tax increases of roughly $1,700 for a $75K household—but doesn’t rank it historically.

MCCLINTOCK SAYS: “No tax on tips, no tax on overtime, …no tax on Social Security benefits”

THE FACTS:

• False: Ordinary income taxes (including on tips and overtime) remain; “no tax on tips/overtime” isn’t part of H.R. 1.
• Overstates Social Security exemption: Only up to 85% of Social Security benefits are taxable under current law—this bill does not fully repeal that.

MCCLINTOCK SAYS: “Medicaid has doubled in cost in the last decade…out of your average family’s tax bill, about $6,900 is now being spent for Medicaid…more than our entire defense budget”

THE FACTS:

• Medicaid growth: Medicaid spending rose modestly—about 5% in 2024, not “doubled” year-over-year according to the Congressional Budget Office.
• Per-family share: The estimate of $6,900 per family vastly overstates the average. In FY 2024, Medicaid was roughly 8% of a $6.75 trillion budget (≈$540 billion). Divided among ~130 million families, that’s closer to $4,150 each—not $6,900.
• Defense comparison: Defense was 13% of the FY 2024 budget (~$877 billion), higher than Medicaid. So, it is untrue that Medicaid spending “is more than our entire defense budget.”

MCCLINTOCK SAYS: Work requirements “cut welfare rolls by about half under Clinton—with no harm”

THE FACTS:

• The Clinton-era welfare reform applied to TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), not Medicaid. TANF was a federal program that provided states with block grants to design and operate their own assistance programs for low-income families with children with the goal of helping these families achieve economic self-sufficiency.
• Real-world impacts: Recent state Medicaid work-requirement waivers (as implemented in Arkansas) led to thousands losing coverage—with no clear cost savings—and were ultimately blocked by federal courts for harming citizens.

MCCLINTOCK SAYS: “Stock market up 700 points right after Trump paused 50% EU tariffs”

THE FACTS:

• Inaccurate tariff rate: The 2018 tariffs on steel (25%) and aluminum (10%) were paused for the EU, not “50%.”
• Attribution error: Market movements are driven by myriad factors; there is no credible study linking a single tariff announcement directly to a 700-point one-day rise.

MCCLINTOCK SAYS: Border wall funding “so we can start moving out…violent criminal gangs”

THE FACTS:

• Exaggerated scope: The reconciliation bill provides funding for barriers and agents—but removal of “violent criminal gangs” is a simplification of complex immigration enforcement processes.  And as we’ve recently seen violent criminal gangs don’t hang out at Home Depot, Construction sites, Dairy farms, or in Restaurant kitchens – only hard working tax payers documented or not.

MCCLINTOCK SAYS: “We have individual district court judges who are attempting to assert universal injunctions against executive orders”

THE FACTS:

• McClintock, in his effort to ensure Trump has unlimited powers, says the biggest problem he sees is the fact that we have individual district court judges who are attempting to assert universal injunctions against executive orders. “It takes at least five Supreme Court justices to issue a national injunction. Five. How can it be that a single district court judge can exercise that same authority?”
• Buried deep in the 1,116-page text is a provision blocking federal judges from enforcing rulings against presidential actions, effectively granting a green light for unchecked executive power. This shift could undermine legal protections that rural Californians depend on—for environmental reviews, land-use rules, and more and erodes the checks and balances built into our constitution.

WHAT THE ‘BIG BEAUTIFIL BILL’ MEANS FOR CALAVERAS COUNTY: 

• Higher Future Taxes & Fewer Services: Growing deficits risk larger interest payments and potential cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and local infrastructure funding.
• Reduced Healthcare Access: Stricter Medicaid rules may leave vulnerable residents without coverage, straining Calaveras clinics already operating on thin margins.
• Food Security Challenges: Cuts to SNAP and other nutrition programs will impact seniors and low-income families here, increasing demand for local food banks and community meals.
• Weakened Oversight: Limiting judicial review could very well hamper our ability to challenge harmful policies on forest management, water rights, or public education standards.

By understanding the full scope of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” we can better assess its real-world impacts—and ensure that Calaveras County’s voice is heard in decisions that affect our community’s future.

What You Can Do

1. Contact Congressman McClintock to express your views
2. Stay informed— If you’re tired of all of the outrage on both sides, try to consume media that are diverse and focus on facts – we can all benefit from stepping out of our echo chambers.