On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Trump-backed Big Beautiful Bill after weeks of intense negotiations and a marathon day-long session. The vote followed a stalled motion to bring an amended version to the floor, seen as a “test run” for final approval. Early Thursday, President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), and senior officials met with key holdouts, including members of the House Freedom Caucus and moderate Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), a longtime opponent, switched his vote from “yes” to “no” amid faltering talks.
House Speaker Johnson declared, “We have a big job to finish,” emphasizing the bill’s aim to make the country stronger, safer, and more prosperous. The passage marks a significant milestone for Trump and Republicans, meeting a Friday deadline and bundling GOP priorities into an 800-plus-page measure. Democrats remain united in opposition, but with Republican control of Congress, the bill is poised to become a defining piece of legislation for Trump’s return to the White House.
The package focuses on preserving \$4.5 trillion in 2017 tax breaks set to expire without action and introduces new incentives, such as deductions for tips, overtime pay, and \$6,000 for older adults earning under \$75,000 annually. It also invests roughly \$350 billion in national security, supporting deportation efforts and funding the “Golden Dome” defense system.
To offset lost revenue, the bill proposes \$1.2 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and food stamps, mainly through new work requirements. The legislation also includes a significant rollback of green energy tax credits, reflecting the GOP’s broader priorities.
