In a razor-thin vote, U.S. President Donald Trump clinched one of the most consequential legislative victories of his second term as Congress passed his flagship tax and spending bill on Thursday. Touted by Trump as the foundation of a “new Golden Age” for America, the bill passed the House of Representatives by a narrow 218-214 margin, overcoming fierce opposition and internal GOP divisions.
The bill—dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—delivers on key Trump campaign promises, including mass deportations, significant tax cuts, and a boost in military spending, while slashing programs such as Medicaid and food assistance. The legislation is expected to add $3.4 trillion to the national debt over the next decade.
GOP Cohesion Secured After All-Night Talks
House Speaker Mike Johnson played a pivotal role in pushing the bill across the finish line, working overnight to bring skeptical Republicans on board. Trump also worked behind the scenes, personally lobbying lawmakers through calls and White House meetings, aiming to minimize defections among more than two dozen GOP members who had voiced concerns about the bill’s impact on vulnerable communities and rural hospitals.
Despite Republican unease over steep social program cuts, party leadership held the line—ensuring Trump’s 869-page proposal reached his desk in time for a July 4th signing ceremony.
“One of the most consequential Bills ever. The USA is the ‘HOTTEST’ Country in the World, by far!!!” Trump posted on social media shortly after the vote.
What’s in the Bill?
- $4.5 trillion in extended tax cuts, favoring corporations and high-income individuals
- Major funding for mass deportations and immigration enforcement
- Increased military and border security spending
- Elimination of clean energy and EV subsidies
- Deep cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs
SEVERAL estimates suggest up to 17 million low-income Americans could lose Medicaid coverage, with dozens of rural hospitals at risk of shutting down due to reduced funding.
Democrats Slam “Abomination” of a Bill
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries mounted a lengthy filibuster-style speech, holding the floor for nearly nine hours in a bid to delay the final vote. He condemned the legislation as a “disgusting abomination” and a “reckless Republican budget” that favors the ultra-rich at the expense of ordinary Americans.
“This bill is not about improving the quality of life of the American people,” Jeffries said, telling personal stories of constituents who may suffer under the bill’s provisions.
Fallout: Elon Musk, Clean Energy Sector Clash with Trump
The bill also triggered an open feud between Trump and Elon Musk, as it scraps federal subsidies for clean energy and electric vehicles, threatening Musk’s business empire and signaling a broader rollback of climate-related initiatives.
What’s Next?
The bill marks a defining moment in Trump’s second term and a high-stakes gamble ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. While it cements his grip on the Republican Party, it may provide Democrats with ammunition to regain the House, especially in swing districts where Medicaid cuts and rural hospital closures could be politically costly.
As Trump prepares to sign the bill into law on Independence Day, the nation remains deeply divided over a sweeping piece of legislation that supporters hail as transformative—and critics condemn as catastrophic.
