Congresswoman Ashley Hinson Champions Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” at Annual BBQ Bash

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - On August 29, 2025, Representative Ashley Hinson convened her fifth annual “BBQ Bash” to rally support for President Trump’s signature legislative package, dubbed the One Big Beautiful Bill, spotlighting its tax cuts for working-class families and expanded funding for immigration enforcement.

In her keynote address, Hinson praised the bill’s provisions to reduce tip taxation and lower individual and corporate tax rates, asserting these measures will bolster the middle class. However, she reserved her strongest remarks for the legislation’s increased allocations toward border security and deportation efforts, echoing the administration’s hard-line stance on immigration enforcement.

The outdoor event, held at a private venue with $40 admission, drew predominantly Republican supporters and featured appearances by conservative commentators, including Scott Jennings, and GOP officials who applauded Hinson’s efforts to frame the bill as both economically stimulative and protective of national sovereignty. By controlling attendance, Hinson avoided the hostile feedback that some Republican lawmakers have faced in open town halls during Congress’s August recess.

Meanwhile, national Republicans are eyeing Hinson as a potential candidate for the U.S. Senate seat soon to be vacated by Senator Joni Ernst, who is widely expected to announce her retirement in the coming days. Party strategists view Hinson-who forwent a House GOP leadership bid-to be well-positioned to succeed Ernst in Iowa’s red-leaning Senate contest.

Critics of the bill, including Democrats and healthcare leaders in rural Iowa, warn that cuts to programs such as Medicaid and SNAP could strain hospitals and food assistance recipients. Early polling indicates that a slight majority of Americans believe the legislation will negatively affect average citizens, though it retains support among GOP-aligned voters.

As the midterm elections approach, Hinson’s high-profile advocacy for the One Big Beautiful Bill and her emerging status as a Senate contender underscore her growing prominence within the Republican Party.