Advocacy group gives away meat in support of ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

How much is 100 4-pound pot roasts worth?

To Americans for Prosperity-Florida, the 100 pot roasts distributed at Choice Meats Winter Garden on Thursday, May 29, were worth $3,500, symbolizing the average annual tax increase Florida families could face if the 2017 tax cuts expire.

AFP is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to removing barriers to opportunity. The group advocates for issues such as economic freedom and educational access. According to an AFP press release, AFP supports policies that lower taxes, reduce government spending and promote free-market solutions to financial challenges. Its mission is to empower citizens to influence public policy at the local, state and national levels. 

The pot roast giveaway gave AFP supporters the opportunity to educate people on H.R. 1 — the Tax Cuts for Working Families Act of 2024, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, aka “One Big Beautiful Bill.” 

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill on Thursday, May 22. If enacted, the bill would extend and make permanent many provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, while introducing additional tax cuts and credits. Key proposals include boosting the standard deduction for tax years 2025 through 2028 and eliminating federal taxes on tips and overtime pay, among other changes.

“$3,500 is what our taxes are going to be raised (by) if Congress does not do their job and pass the bill,” AFP volunteer Allison Painter said. “They need to do what they ran on — no taxes on tips, no taxes on Social Security, no taxes on overtime.”

Dayna Gaut, AFP grassroots engagement director, helped coordinate the event. Gaut said the group’s broader goal is to make government less burdensome to everyday people.

“Our whole goal is that the government should not be a barrier to letting citizens live their best life and their life meaning,” Gaut said. “We want to empower people to be part of the change.”

Community volunteers expressed concerns about rising costs and voiced support for extending the tax cuts.

Gregg Jones, CEO of Conservatives USA, said the federal government needs to allow the tax cuts, saying grocery prices were a concern but are improving. 

“Gas prices are down already,” he said. “Egg prices are down, energy prices are down, everything’s in a downward trend. How could you be against that?”

Erin Huntley, a candidate for the Florida House of Representatives District 45, was at the event and championed economic relief for families. 

“Families need more money back in their pockets,” Huntley said. “The state government is doing a great job.” 

Winter Garden resident Jeff Basham picked up a roast and showed his support for AFP’s cause. 

“I want the Big Beautiful Bill,” he said. 

While Americans for Prosperity contends extending the 2017 tax cuts will provide relief to working families, critics argue doing so could have significant long-term fiscal consequences. According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, making these tax cuts permanent could add about $5.3 trillion to the national deficit over the next decade. 

Analyses from the Tax Policy Center indicate the benefits of the proposed extensions would disproportionately favor higher-income households. Specifically, 60% of the tax cuts would go to the top 20% of earners, with more than one-third benefiting those making $460,000 or more annually. 

In contrast, lower- and middle-income earners might see only modest gains, raising concerns about the equity of the tax policy.