Trump budget bill with trillions in tax cuts survives House vote
The House of Representatives has made a significant move by adopting a resolution that is set to become a massive multi-trillion-dollar bill encompassing President Donald Trump’s key priorities in areas such as border security, defense, energy, and taxes. This development marks a major win for House GOP lawmakers, with 217 Republicans voting in favor of the resolution while 214 Democrats opposed it. The sole Republican who voted against the legislation was Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky, resulting in a final vote of 217 to 215, with one absence due to Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., undergoing cancer treatment.
The resolution is now set to move to the relevant House committees, where proposals will be developed and eventually negotiated into a compromise deal with the Senate. Speaker Mike Johnson is leading the effort to advance a reconciliation bill aligned with Trump’s priorities through the House of Representatives. The bill is aimed at addressing key issues such as border security, defense, and energy, while also seeking to extend Trump’s tax cuts and address the debt limit.
The process leading up to the resolution’s passage was marked by intense negotiations and last-minute efforts to secure support from conservative fiscal hawks within the Republican Party. President Trump himself reportedly got involved at one point, speaking with Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., by phone. The vote was temporarily delayed as Republicans worked to secure enough support, with Democrats calling for the vote to be closed. Ultimately, the resolution passed with the support of House GOP lawmakers.
The resolution seeks to increase spending on border security, the judiciary, and defense, while also aiming to implement significant spending cuts elsewhere. It includes provisions to extend Trump’s tax cuts and address the debt limit, raising it by $4 trillion. The resolution also includes measures to address concerns around potential cuts to programs like Medicaid, with House Energy & Commerce Committee tasked with finding necessary spending cuts.
Overall, the passage of this resolution signals a significant step towards advancing President Trump’s policy priorities through the budget reconciliation process. With Republicans aiming to use their majorities in both the House and Senate to push through key legislation, the stage is set for further negotiations and compromises in the days ahead. The resolution’s passage is a key milestone in the ongoing efforts to shape the future of the country’s fiscal and policy landscape.
