Illinois congressman pushes to repeal federal tax cuts

Casten addressed a variety of concerns constituents brought his way – many worried about cuts to federal services like Medicaid and Social Security insolvency – while on the town hall call.

“We are pursuing litigation where we can to push back on that. In some cases, we're having some success, but you can't really – the cutting and funding, that was done by an act of Congress, so you can't say they're breaking the law. And so we're basically going to keep fighting to repeal that whole damn bill once we get the gavels back,” Casten said.

Casten doubled down in a series of posts on the social platform X after Republicans were critical of his statement.

8. That’s in addition to the political benefits of a fairer tax code and the fiscal benefits of less long term borrowing. So look: if you want to be fiscally irresponsible, mean to the most vulnerable and sycophantic to rich bullies, you be you. But at least be honest.

— Sean Casten (@SeanCasten) July 9, 2026

An account operated by the Republican National Committee, which reportedly operates closely with the political arm of the Trump administration, quickly captured and published Casten’s statement, criticizing him for wanting to reverse course on what it called the “the largest tax cuts in American history.”

Casten hit back, arguing that the OBBBA’s tax cuts aren’t truly helpful for working families in the U.S.

“The idea that these cuts are helping the working class is total BS, which you know. The ‘no tax on tips’ is only on the incremental tip income, only for families earning [less than] $150K/year and it expires in 2028,” Casten said in one post.

According to the June, 2026, federal Monthly Treasury statement, the nation’s deficit for the current calendar year is about $1.4 trillion. 

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget responded to the deficit data, noting that it is higher than the previous year and the federal government is on track to borrow at least $2 trillion or more this year. 

Casten blamed the OBBBA for worsening the fiscal conditions of the government, citing the CRFB’s projection of $4.7 trillion being added to the deficit by 2035.

The federal lawmaker commended the Illinois Legislature for its handling of federal cuts, despite criticism from some Republican state lawmakers, who have said the state paying the difference means even higher taxes statewide.

“Illinois has done a pretty good job to try to squeeze the balloon, but there's just a lot less money coming to Illinois right now,” Casten said.

Covering the difference left by cuts was a common thread during this year’s spring legislative session in Springfield, with Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently signed laws to expand state spending to the dismay of many Republican lawmakers.