Springfield Standard

Congressman Eric Burlison of Missouri’s 7th district has announced that several of his legislative priorities have been included in President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The bill contains measures from Burlison’s Ending the Cycle of Dependency Act and UNPLUG EVs Act.

“This bill is a victory for the American people,” said Rep. Burlison. “We are restoring work as the foundation of public assistance and ending taxpayer handouts that prop up failed climate schemes.”

The legislation introduces new requirements for Medicaid recipients between ages 19 and 64 who are able-bodied and not raising young children, mandating they work, volunteer, train, or attend school part-time for at least 80 hours per month. It also expands SNAP work requirements by raising the exemption age from 55 to 65 and requiring work from individuals with older dependents. State waivers will be tightened by ending broad exemptions in high-unemployment regions and eliminating grace periods for former foster youth.

“These reforms reflect the principle that real charity comes from families and communities, not federal programs,” Burlison said. “Work brings purpose and independence. That is how we help people thrive.”

On electric vehicle policy, the bill ends federal tax credits for electric vehicle purchases—an objective outlined in Burlison’s UNPLUG EVs Act. Tax credits of up to $7,500 for new vehicles and $4,000 for used vehicles will now expire on September 30 rather than continuing through 2032. Additional tax breaks on EV leases are repealed, along with a review of funding planned for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. The Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit supporting EV charger installation will terminate on June 30, 2026.

“These EV mandates have always been about control, not climate,” Burlison said. “These subsidies were expensive, ineffective, and benefited foreign supply chains."

Eric Burlison has represented Missouri’s 7th district in Congress since replacing Billy Long in 2023 (https://burlison.house.gov/about). Before serving in Congress, he was a member of both the Missouri House of Representatives (2009-2017) and Missouri Senate (2019-2023) (https://burlison.house.gov/about). Born in Springfield in 1976, Burlison currently lives in Ozark after graduating twice from Missouri State University.