Following a dramatic all-night session and days of intense negotiations, the House of Representatives narrowly passed President Trump’s signature domestic policy bill on Thursday.
In a 215-214 vote, the massive budget package, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” secured passage with support from nearly all House Republicans. Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Warren Davidson (R-OH) opposed the bill, while House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD) voted present. The vote came hours after GOP leaders unveiled an updated version of the legislation, aimed at addressing concerns from holdouts within the Republican conference.
The bill, which addresses President Trump’s tax, defense, and energy priorities, now heads to the Senate, where it faces potential opposition from some Republicans. Congressional leaders aim to deliver the bill to President Trump’s desk by July 4th.
Speaker Mike Johnson faced significant pressure to pass the bill before the self-imposed Memorial Day deadline, encountering resistance from various GOP factions regarding Medicaid, the state and local tax deduction (SALT), and other provisions. A 42-page manager’s amendment, released late Wednesday, incorporated changes designed to appease both budget hardliners and blue-state Republicans.
Key amendments included accelerating the implementation of Medicaid work requirements from 2029 to 2026 and expediting the phase-out of tax credits for new renewable energy power plants. The amendment also increased the SALT deduction cap to $40,000 for households with incomes up to $500,000.
With a slim majority, Speaker Johnson could only afford three defections. Representative Massie, who opposed the procedural vote, criticized the late-night vote, stating, “If something is beautiful, you don’t do it after midnight.”
Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) urged Republicans to support the bill, framing it as fulfilling GOP promises on energy, border security, and middle-class families. Speaker Johnson touted the bill as “the most consequential legislation” passed under such a thin majority.
Democrats unanimously opposed the bill, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) denouncing it as a “reckless, regressive, and reprehensible GOP tax scam.” He warned that the vote could jeopardize Republican control of the House in the upcoming midterm elections.
The vote followed a White House meeting between President Trump, Speaker Johnson, and right-wing holdouts. Subsequent meetings among Republican conference members and House Freedom Caucus members focused on briefing them on the last-minute changes.
President Trump had previously pressured Republicans to support the bill, suggesting potential primary challenges for those who opposed it. The White House Office of Management and Budget also issued a statement urging passage, deeming failure “the ultimate betrayal.”
While the bill’s passage marks a significant victory for Speaker Johnson, its fate in the Senate remains uncertain. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) indicated that while Speaker Johnson prefers minimal changes, the Senate will inevitably leave its “imprint” on the legislation.
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