Trump agenda bill sent to White House after stunning victory in House
After back-to-back sleepless sessions, Congress has officially passed President Donald Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill” on Thursday afternoon. This massive agenda bill covers a wide range of policies, including tax reform, border security, defense, energy, and the national debt. The bill narrowly passed the House of Representatives in a mostly party-line vote and now heads to Trump’s desk to be signed into law just in time for Republicans’ self-imposed Fourth of July deadline.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., played a key role in securing the victory, along with President Trump who was actively engaged in answering questions and articulating his vision for the bill. The House initially passed its version of the legislation by just one vote in late May, and Senate Republicans passed it after their own marathon voting session, also by just one vote. The bill underwent key changes in the Senate before being passed.
The bill faced challenges from both moderates and conservatives within the House GOP. Moderates were concerned about the shift of Medicaid costs onto states that expanded their health benefits populations under the Affordable Care Act, while conservatives felt that spending cuts did not go far enough. Despite these challenges, the bill ultimately passed after a lengthy voting session that stretched into the early hours of the morning.
Democrats utilized delay tactics, including a lengthy speech by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who criticized Republicans for pushing the bill through in the early hours of the morning. However, after negotiations and discussions behind closed doors, the bill ultimately passed with nearly all Republicans in support.
The bill includes provisions to permanently extend income tax brackets lowered by Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, as well as new tax deductions for tipped and overtime wages and individuals aged 65 and over. It also rolls back green energy tax credits implemented under former President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. Additionally, the bill increases funding for national defense and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to support Trump’s efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.
In order to avoid a potential credit default, the bill raises the debt limit by $5 trillion. New and expanded work requirements for Medicaid and federal food assistance are also included in the bill. Democrats have criticized the bill as a tax giveaway to the wealthy, while Republicans argue that the tax provisions target working and middle-class Americans and aim to reform federal welfare programs to better serve those in need.
Overall, the passage of President Trump’s agenda bill is a significant victory for the administration and Republican lawmakers. The bill represents a comprehensive approach to key policy areas and sets the stage for further legislative action.
