On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed one of the most important pieces of legislation in President Trump’s second term—a massive bill that includes sweeping tax cuts, immigration crackdowns, huge cuts to Medicaid, and more funding for fossil fuels.
The bill passed 218-214, after months of intense debates and negotiations, and will now head to President Trump’s desk for approval.
What’s in the Bill?
The bill includes key elements of Trump’s domestic policy agenda, such as:
Extended tax cuts from Trump’s first term, including new measures to cut taxes on tips and Social Security.
A $150 billion boost for border security, including more funding for a border wall, immigration enforcement, and deportations.
$150 billion in new funding for defense projects, including shipbuilding and missile defense.
Cuts to Medicaid and other low-income health programs to help offset the cost of the tax cuts.
Expansion of domestic fossil fuel production, including oil, coal, and natural gas.
$5 trillion increase in the debt ceiling, preventing a potential government default.
While the bill aims to strengthen the economy, it could also lead to millions of people losing health coverage.
A Tough Road to Passage
Despite the bill’s importance to Trump’s agenda, it faced significant hurdles before passing. Two Republicans, Reps. Thomas Massie and Brian Fitzpatrick, joined Democrats in voting against it. The bill had already passed the Senate a few days earlier, but many Republicans struggled to come to an agreement on the bill’s provisions.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) celebrated the bill’s passage, calling it a key step in creating “America’s new golden age”. He said, “This bill will make the country stronger, safer, and more prosperous than ever before.”
House Minority Leader’s Marathon Speech
Before the final vote, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) gave an 8-hour and 44-minute speech to delay the vote, setting a new record. Jeffries criticized the bill, calling it a “reverse-Robin Hood scam” that cuts benefits for low- and middle-income families while giving tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans.
Controversy Over Medicaid Cuts and Green Energy Rollbacks
Many moderate Republicans opposed the steep cuts to Medicaid and the rollback of green energy tax credits. However, under intense pressure from the White House, most holdouts in both the House and Senate eventually supported the bill.
In the end, the Trump administration pushed hard to get the bill passed, with several meetings between Trump, Vice President Vance, and wary lawmakers. The bill’s passage marks a major victory for Speaker Mike Johnson and President Trump, who both played key roles in its success.
What’s Next?
The bill’s passage is a huge win for Republicans, but the fight isn’t over. Democrats plan to use the bill’s provisions against Republicans in the upcoming 2024 midterms. They argue that the bill will harm low-income Americans and weaken healthcare programs like Medicaid.
For now, however, Republicans are celebrating their victory and looking ahead to the impact this legislation will have on the future of the country.