In a closely contested vote of 215 to 214, House Republicans have advanced President Trump's ambitious tax and spending plan, a key component of his agenda that aims to extend tax cuts and ramp up defense funding. Following weeks of negotiation and pressure from the White House, the bill, dubbed "big and beautiful" by Trump, includes cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs, raising alarm among Democrats over potential impacts on the most vulnerable Americans. The Senate now faces the challenge of considering the massive legislation, with Republican leadership under pressure to finalize revisions before the midterm elections.
House Republicans Approve Trump's Major Tax and Spending Legislation
House Republicans Approve Trump's Major Tax and Spending Legislation
The US House has narrowly passed President Trump's $5.2 trillion tax and spending bill, marking a significant political milestone for the administration amid fierce negotiations.
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House Republicans have voted to pass a massive tax and spending package championed by President Donald Trump, bringing significant changes to the fiscal landscape as they narrow in on a critical victory for the administration. The legislation, which passed with a tight margin of 215 votes to 214 after intense negotiation, will now move to the Senate for further consideration and potential alterations.
The plan, popularly known as Trump’s "big, beautiful bill," has been a long-standing target for Trump, aiming to extend tax cuts from his previous administration and inject funding toward defense, as well as support for mass deportation efforts. Additionally, the bill eliminates taxes on overtime and tips, addressing key campaign promises made during the 2024 election cycle. House Speaker Mike Johnson celebrated the passage, stating, "This is historic, and it will make all the difference in the daily lives of hardworking Americans."
The legislation also introduces significant fiscal cuts to programs like Medicaid and SNAP, which assists over 42 million Americans, igniting vigorous opposition from Democrats. They warn these cuts could devastate the lives of children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities who rely on these critical services. "People will die,” Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned on the House floor, emphasizing the grim repercussions of the bill’s provisions.
While the proposal is praised by some within Trump's party, critics point out its staggering price tag—projected to add $5.2 trillion to the national debt and increase the deficit by around $600 billion next fiscal year. Concerns echoed when Moody's downgraded the US credit rating, citing the bill as a catalyst for rising national debt, which may threaten the country’s fiscal integrity.
As senators take on the sizeable bill, they will also need to address provisions outlined by the Congressional Budget Office, which warn of potential cuts to Medicare triggered by the debt increase. This is particularly contentious as Trump had promised to protect Medicare, highlighting the delicate balancing act facing Republican lawmakers.
With the midterms on the horizon, Democrats are poised to leverage the narrow passage of this bill against Republicans, emphasizing concerns around tax benefits for the wealthy and spending cuts impacting lower-income populations. Despite the triumph, the slim majority in the House poses risks for the Republicans, pressuring them to navigate shifting public sentiment carefully as they draw closer to another high-stakes vote in the Senate.
House Republicans have voted to pass a massive tax and spending package championed by President Donald Trump, bringing significant changes to the fiscal landscape as they narrow in on a critical victory for the administration. The legislation, which passed with a tight margin of 215 votes to 214 after intense negotiation, will now move to the Senate for further consideration and potential alterations.
The plan, popularly known as Trump’s "big, beautiful bill," has been a long-standing target for Trump, aiming to extend tax cuts from his previous administration and inject funding toward defense, as well as support for mass deportation efforts. Additionally, the bill eliminates taxes on overtime and tips, addressing key campaign promises made during the 2024 election cycle. House Speaker Mike Johnson celebrated the passage, stating, "This is historic, and it will make all the difference in the daily lives of hardworking Americans."
The legislation also introduces significant fiscal cuts to programs like Medicaid and SNAP, which assists over 42 million Americans, igniting vigorous opposition from Democrats. They warn these cuts could devastate the lives of children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities who rely on these critical services. "People will die,” Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned on the House floor, emphasizing the grim repercussions of the bill’s provisions.
While the proposal is praised by some within Trump's party, critics point out its staggering price tag—projected to add $5.2 trillion to the national debt and increase the deficit by around $600 billion next fiscal year. Concerns echoed when Moody's downgraded the US credit rating, citing the bill as a catalyst for rising national debt, which may threaten the country’s fiscal integrity.
As senators take on the sizeable bill, they will also need to address provisions outlined by the Congressional Budget Office, which warn of potential cuts to Medicare triggered by the debt increase. This is particularly contentious as Trump had promised to protect Medicare, highlighting the delicate balancing act facing Republican lawmakers.
With the midterms on the horizon, Democrats are poised to leverage the narrow passage of this bill against Republicans, emphasizing concerns around tax benefits for the wealthy and spending cuts impacting lower-income populations. Despite the triumph, the slim majority in the House poses risks for the Republicans, pressuring them to navigate shifting public sentiment carefully as they draw closer to another high-stakes vote in the Senate.
