The House of Representatives passed President Trump’s domestic policy bill, formally known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, by a razor-thin margin of one vote in the early hours of Thursday, following an overnight legislative session.
The narrow passage of the bill was partly attributed to the absence of Representative Andrew Garbarino, a Republican from New York, who House Speaker Mike Johnson stated was asleep during the vote. Garbarino, had he been present, was expected to support the legislation.
“Andrew Garbarino did not make it in time. He fell asleep in the back. No kidding, I know. I’m going to just strangle him, but then, he’s my dear friend,” Speaker Johnson, a Republican representing Louisiana, remarked during a press conference.
Representative Garbarino, who represents New York’s 2nd Congressional District on Long Island, did not dispute Speaker Johnson’s account of him being asleep.
In a statement released later, Garbarino said, “I am proud to have been the leading voice on Long Island during negotiations on this key reconciliation bill. I fought to lift the cap on SALT and ensure hardworking Long Island families see the benefits of this important legislation. I was moments away from the House floor, to vote ‘yes,’ when the vote was closed. While I am frustrated that the vote was closed before I was able to cast my vote, I am proud of the work we accomplished to deliver huge results for Long Island.”
A key component of the bill includes raising the cap on federal deductions for state and local taxes (SALT) from $10,000 to $40,000 per household for individuals earning up to $500,000 annually. This issue was a central point of contention during negotiations, with Republicans representing states with higher tax burdens, such as Garbarino, advocating for an increase to the cap, which was initially implemented during President Trump’s first term.
Republican Representative David Schweikert of Arizona also did not participate in the vote. Speaker Johnson indicated that Schweikert “was going to vote and slipped his card in right at the last minute.”
The measure ultimately passed the House by a vote of 215-214. All Democrats opposed the bill, while two Republicans voted against it, and one Republican voted present.
Speaker Johnson quipped after the vote, “It was really 217, okay?” referencing the absences of Schweikert and Garbarino.
Speaker Johnson publicly praised Garbarino on social media on Thursday, stating that he “played an essential role in negotiations … and is a primary reason we were able to secure the deal which allowed us to pass our nation-shaping legislation this morning. Andrew is highly regarded by me and all our Members as one of the most trusted, reliable, and talented colleagues in the House, and if it were not for his unique contributions and tireless efforts, we simply would not have achieved what we have in this Congress.”
The legislation now proceeds to the Senate, where its prospects are uncertain, with some Republicans having expressed reservations about the bill.
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