In a pivotal legislative win for former President Donald Trump, Congress narrowly passed his sweeping tax and spending bill on Thursday, marking a major milestone in advancing his radical second-term agenda. The bill, which cleared the House of Representatives by a razor-thin 218–214 margin, paves the way for Trump to sign it into law on July 4th—symbolically aligning the measure with America’s Independence Day.
Dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” the 869-page package fulfills several of Trump’s campaign promises, including expanding military funding, initiating a mass migrant deportation drive, and extending his first-term tax cuts with a $4.5 trillion commitment. Despite internal opposition from moderate Republicans and fiscal conservatives, Speaker Mike Johnson managed to rally support after intense overnight negotiations and weeks of lobbying from Trump himself.
However, the bill has sparked widespread controversy. Critics argue it will balloon the national debt by $3.4 trillion over the next decade and slash critical social programs, including the largest reduction to Medicaid since its inception. Estimates suggest that up to 17 million low-income Americans could lose health coverage, and dozens of rural hospitals may be forced to close. The legislation also eliminates subsidies for clean energy and electric vehicles, contributing to a public rift between Trump and former ally Elon Musk.
Democrats remain firmly opposed to the bill. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries staged a nearly nine-hour floor speech in a failed bid to delay the vote, calling the measure a “disgusting abomination” that prioritizes the wealthy at the expense of everyday Americans. “This reckless Republican budget is not about improving lives—it’s about serving power and privilege,” Jeffries said, voicing hope that the backlash will help Democrats retake the House in the 2026 midterm elections.
The bill’s passage adds to a string of recent victories for Trump, including a favorable Supreme Court ruling and successful foreign policy maneuvers. With Trump touting the legislation as a cornerstone of “America’s new Golden Age,” political observers are watching closely to see how the controversial package will shape the 2027 political landscape and influence the upcoming election cycles.
