Leaders of Boston firefighters union back Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ By Molly Farrar Leaders of the Boston firefighters union voiced their support for President Donald Trump’s massive tax cuts and spending cuts bill, dubbed the ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ in a video posted by the White House last week. The Senate narrowly passed the legislation Tuesday following a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance, and the bill now heads back to the House for further consideration. Republican lawmakers who opposed the bill expressed concerns regarding the potential for increasing the national debt and the proposed cuts to Medicaid, which could impact healthcare access for millions of Americans. Boston Firefighters Local 718 President Sam Dillon and Vice President Leroy Heyward appeared in a video released by the official White House and POTUS accounts on Instagram on Sunday, showcasing the union’s endorsement of the initiative. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) also participated in a visit to the nation’s capital to demonstrate their support for the bill, as highlighted in the accompanying caption.

President Trump’s proposed plan focuses significantly on reducing the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, aiming to provide immediate assistance and relief to firefighters and their members, preventing potential displacement from the communities they serve and protect during critical moments. The SALT deduction currently limits federal deductions for state and local taxes to $10,000, allowing taxpayers who itemize to deduct property, sales, or income taxes paid to state and local governments. This deduction disproportionately benefits high-income taxpayers, according to the Tax Foundation. The original SALT deduction cap was established as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The Senate’s bill proposes raising this cap to $40,000 through 2030, with a subsequent reversion back to the $10,000 limit. Analysis from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget suggests the bill could add over $4 trillion to the national debt through Fiscal Year 2034.

During the video, Leroy Heyward emphasized the ‘extra $4,000 tax break’ provided by President Trump, asserting that this benefit is ‘huge’ for many citizens, particularly seniors and firefighters. He explained that this additional tax break could cover essential expenses such as mortgage payments, rent, and food costs. Eligibility for this $4,000 tax deduction extends to seniors aged 65 and older who itemize their deductions, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. Beyond the SALT deduction, the bill also includes provisions for tax breaks related to Social Security benefits for seniors, the elimination of taxes on overtime pay, and tax credits for childcare and in-home services.

Sam Dillon of the Boston Herald stated that the union’s support for the bill was a ‘non-partisan’ decision, driven by the potential benefits for its members. "Local 718 spoke in support of aspects of the bill that would be beneficial to our members," Dillon explained in a statement to Boston.com. "When afforded the opportunity, we will engage with elected officials of any political party or background to advocate on behalf of firefighters and our families." The video was originally shared by The White House (@whitehouse). Molly Farrar is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on education, politics, crime, and more. Sign up for the Today newsletter Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning. Be civil. Be kind.