President Trump is scheduled to sign the bill into law at 5 p.m. on July 4 at the White House, locking in tax reductions and Medicaid cuts.
House passes ‘Big, Beautiful Bill,’ heads to Trump’s desk next
Republicans’ sweeping bill to cut taxes and slash benefit programs like Medicaid has passed the House and now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk.
WASHINGTON – The fight is over: Republicans’ sweeping bill to cut taxes and slash benefit programs like Medicaid has passed out of Congress and is on its way to President Donald Trump’s desk to be signed into law during a July 4 ceremony at the White House.
The 218-214 House vote came after a full day of negotiations July 2, an overnight debate and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, delivering the longest House speech on record. Trump met at the White House with skeptical GOP lawmakers, worked the phones and, via social media, cheered the members on during votes.
It’s a major victory for Trump and Republican leadership in Congress, which captured a trifecta during the 2024 elections and has used that political muscle to force what they’ve dubbed their “One Big, Beautiful Bill” through both chambers at a rapid-fire pace. The passage came despite deep reservations within their own party and unanimous opposition from Democrats who see it as a ticket to winning back congressional majorities in 2026.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, said he hopes Trump will sign the bill on the nation’s 249th birthday on Friday. “What more appropriate time to pass the big, beautiful bill for America than on Independence Day?” he said.
The bill that Trump has touted as a centerpiece of his second-term agenda will touch nearly every aspect of the American economy, from the social safety net and income taxes to business and clean energy incentives.
Speaker Mike Johnson touts passing of spending bill as Dems lament
After Republicans’ sweeping spending bill passed out of Congress, House Speaker Mike Johnson said it’ll be “a great thing” for every American.
It is estimated to increase deficits by around $3.4 trillion over the next ten years. It would make 2017 income tax cuts permanent; create new, narrow tax breaks for tips and overtime; implement new benefits for businesses; and roll back clean energy tax credits crated under former President Joe Biden.
“Largest Tax Cuts in History and a Booming Economy vs. Biggest Tax Increase in History, and a Failed Economy,” Trump said on social media during a procedural vote. “What are the Republicans waiting for???”
The timing of the victory gives Trump a chance to promote his so-called “big, beautiful bill” tonight in Des Moines, Iowa, where he’s scheduled to travel to kick off a yearlong celebration marking the 250th birthday of the United States.
Democrats were unified in opposition to the bill in the House and Senate, calling it an assault on healthcare and nutritional assistance. The bill would make deep cuts to Medicaid, leaving nearly 12 million Americans uninsured, and knock 2 million people off the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance food program.
“People will die. Tens of thousands, year after year after year, as a result of the Republican assault on the healthcare of the American people,” said Jeffries, who broke the House record set by former Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaking for more than eight-and-a-half hours. “This is a crime scene.”
Vice President JD Vance said on social media that an unnamed House member texted him to say he was “undecided on the bill but then I watched Hakeem Jeffries performance and now I’m a firm yes.”
Here’s what we know about the bill:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQe0rQwwAw4
Trump: ‘I have more power now’
A few hours after the House’s approval, Trump touted the sweeping tax and spending bill as the “biggest bill of its kind ever signed” and predicted the country would soar to new heights.
“It’s going to make this country into a rocket ship,” Trump told reporters before boarding Air Force One on Thursday evening to travel to Des Moines, Iowa, where he’s set to give a speech to kick off a yearlong celebration for the 250th anniversary of America’s founding.
Trump said it wasn’t difficult to convince House Republicans, including members of the House Freedom Caucus, who met with him at the White House on Wednesday to discuss their concerns with the legislation. Only two House Republicans voted against the bill.
“I did not have much of a problem with any of them,” Trump said, adding that he didn’t make any “deals” in exchange for their support but focused on the merits of the bill. “It was not hard. This is going to be a great bill for the country.”
Trump acknowledged the enormous sway he has on Republicans in Congress — and said he has even more power over his party compared to his first White House term.
“I think I have more power now,” Trump said. “I do. I could say, oh gee, I don’t know. I think I probably do because we’ve had a great record of success.”
“More gravitas. More power,” he added.
Trump is set to sign the bill into law during a White House ceremony on Friday, which falls on the 4th of July, the deadline Trump set weeks ago for Republican lawmakers to send him the bill. – Joey Garrison
House takes next week off from voting after passing Trump bill
After round-the-clock negotiations to send Trump’s legislative package to the president’s desk, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer announced lawmakers would no longer be voting next week.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, had said he hadn’t slept much in the previous two days before the winning vote.
The House had expected to be on recess this week for the July 4 holiday, but returned to vote on Trump’s bill. Lawmakers had planned to return July 7. But Emmer, R-Minnesota, announced the next House votes are now expected July 14 about 6:30 p.m. EDT. – Bart Jansen
YMCA blasts as Johnson enrolls bill
House Speaker Mike Johnson and dozens of Congressional Republicans crammed into a ceremonial room off of the House chamber to celebrate the completion of their months-long effort.
“YMCA” by Village People — a standby from President Donald Trump’s campaign rallies — blasted as Johnson shook hands with his colleagues and signed the bill at a wooden desk.
“We had a vision for what we wanted to do,” Johnson said. “I believed in this vision. I believed in the group. I believe in America.” – Riley Beggin
Republicans float second budget bill
President Trump’s sweeping tax and domestic policy bill just passed the House. But Republicans are already thinking about starting work on another big budget package.
“There’s definitely conversations about future reconciliation packages,” said Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy. “I’ll let the administration leadership, you know, lead on that.”
Asked what he’d want in another package, Roy said, “more savings.”
Oklahoma Republican Rep. Kevin Hern, chair of the House Republican Policy Committee, said there’s still time to pass another one. “We’re getting this done early enough in the year that we still have time to do another one in our current 119th Congress, and so we need to continue working on it and it’d be really important to get it done.”
Hern added that he’d want in a second package “all the things we didn’t get in this one.” – Sudiksha Kochi
When will President Trump sign the bill into law?
President Donald Trump will sign the newly approved megabill into law Friday at 5 p.m. EDT during a ceremony at the White House, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
The ceremony will take place on the Fourth of July, the deadline Trump set weeks ago for Republicans to send his signature to his desk.
“Today is a victorious day for the American people,:” Leavitt said in a call to reporters where she described the bill as “an encapsulation of all of the policies that the president campaigned on.” – Joey Garrison
Which Republicans voted against Trump’s bill?
Two House Republicans voted against Trump’s legislative package, after round-the-clock meetings with legislative leaders and the president himself at the White House prevented more defections.
GOP Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania opposed the measure in the 218-214 vote.
The legislation was approved by narrow votes throughout its journey through Congress. The House approved its initial version in May on a 215-214 vote, with two Republicans opposed, one voting present and two absent. The Senate voted 51-50 on July 1, with Vice President JD Vance breaking the tie with three Republicans voting no. – Bart Jansen
It’s not as simple as yes or no for lawmakers. The other options include “present” or “non voting.”
Lawmakers can vote present, essentially opting out of a yes or no, and keeping their vote from counting toward the final tally.
This is a popular route for hardliners in controversial decisions — saving them from voting against their position without hurting their party’s chance of success.
Members who are non voting have not cast a vote either direction and will count toward the final total. – Savannah Kuchar
Speaker Johnson tees up House vote
House Speaker Mike Johnson teed up the vote on Trump’s sweeping tax bill. But before surrendering the microphone, the Louisiana Republican slammed Jeffries’ record-breaking speech.
“Democrats deliver performances and Republicans deliver results,” Johnson said.
Earlier in his remarks, the speaker teed up the roll call as a pivotal political moment for the country. “In a few moments, we will remind the world why the American experiment still endures today and why its best days are still ahead of us,” he said. Johnson ended his remarks shortly after 2:05 p.m. EDT and the House began 15-minute vote for final passage on Trump’s second-term legislative agenda. – Riley Beggin
Jeffries wraps record-breaking speech
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, has finished his record-breaking House floor speech.
He concluded by urging people to “press on.”
After he wrapped, the Democrats surrounding him hugs, handshakes and high fives and chanted “Hakeem! Hakeem!”
Republicans, who now have the floor, immediately began poking at Jeffries’ marathon speech.
“I’m from the ‘Show Me’ state,” Rep. Jason Smith, R-Missouri, said on the floor after Jeffries speech. “And what we just heard can be defined in one word: A bunch of hog wash.” – Riley Beggin
Jeffries breaks record for longest House speech
At 1:26 p.m. EDT, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries beat the record for the House longest floor speech, as he speaks against Republicans’ sweeping tax policy bill.
Jeffries has been speaking for eight and a half hours. He is allowed to speak as long as he wants through the “magic minute” granted leaders.
The previous record was held by then-Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who spoke for 8 hours and 32 minutes in 2021.
Jeffries is still speaking. Democrats around him are urging him to continue. – Riley Beggin
What’s the scene on the House floor?
The mood in the House has been solemn while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries trashed Trump’s sweeping tax bill during his floor remarks that started in the middle of the night.
Democrats seated behind Jeffries included Michigan Rep. Shri Thanedar, California Rep. Luz Rivas, and Arizona Rep. Yassamin Ansari. They had pursed lips and scrunched eyebrows while listening to their leader rail against the bill’s tax cuts and Medicaid spending changes.
Some were spotted scrolling on their phones. At times, Jeffries’ colleagues stood up and clapped at his remarks. Others shouted “preach” and “take your time.”
“You are the swamp,” Jeffries said at one point addressing Republicans, who have almost entirely skipped the Democratic leader’s remarks.
About 50 Democrats were present in the chamber. For the GOP, a few staffers and lawmakers were present, including South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman. – Sudiksha Kochi
Jeffries: Trump’s July 4 deadline isn’t mine
House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, has been delivering his so-called “magic minute” speech for around seven-and-a-half hours.
As he wound down a section of his speech, he warned that he’s not quite done.
“I’ve still got a little more time. Donald Trump’s deadline might be Independence Day. That ain’t my deadline,” Jeffries said of the July 4 goal Republicans have long aimed for.
“We don’t work for Donald Trump,” Jeffries added ,o cheers from the dozens of Democrats sitting behind him in the chamber. “We work for the American people.” – Riley Beggin
VP JD Vance: Hakeem Jeffries’ speech flipped a GOP vote on the bill
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ marathon floor speech protesting Trump’s tax bill has not only moved Democrats. It’s moved Republicans too, according to Vice President JD Vance.
“GOP Congressman just texted me: ‘I was undecided on the bill but then I watched Hakeem Jeffries performance and now I’m a firm yes,’” Vance wrote on X, without specifying who the lawmaker was.
Jeffries’ speech, which started shortly before 5 a.m., has stretched past six hours. Republicans have criticized Jeffries. “When I listen to Hakeem Jeffries, it drives me bananas,” Tennessee Republican Rep. Andy Ogles said on “The Benny Show.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters of Jeffries, “It takes a lot longer to build the lies than to tell the truth, so he’s really spinning a long tale in there.” – Sudiksha Kochi
Trump’s signature of megabill could come on Fourth of July
President Donald Trump appears on track to have his first chance to publicly tout passage of his so-called “big, beautiful bill” tonight in Des Moines, Iowa, where he’s scheduled to travel to kick off a yearlong celebration marking the 250th birthday of the United States.
Weeks ago, Trump set a Fourth of July deadline for Republicans in Congress to send the legislation to his desk. House approval of the bill on July 3, as expected, could give Trump the opportunity to sign it on the holiday.
House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters that in a phone call with Trump earlier in the morning the two discussed a possible signing ceremony for the bill on Friday, the 4th of July.
“What more appropriate time to pass the big, beautiful bill for America than on Independence Day?” Johnson said.
A White House official would not confirm a report from Punchbowl News that a signing ceremony at the White House will take place Friday morning at 9 a.m. EDT.
To celebrate the Fourth of July, Trump is set to hold picnic for military families at the White House at 5 p.m. EDT before departing in the evening to his resort in Bedminster, New Jersey.
Johnson has said he has enough votes from Republicans in the GOP-controlled House to pass the massive tax and spending bill. Holding up the bill’s approval, however, is House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is in the middle of a lengthy protest speech from the House floor. – Joey Garrison and Sudiksha Kochi
What is a ‘magic minute’?
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, has been taking full advantage of his “magic minute” – which has lasted more than 6 hours so far.
Most members of the lower chamber are limited to one minute at a time when addressing the House floor.
But a perk of leadership, for both parties, allows Jeffries, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and a select few others an unlimited amount of speaking time.
The longest speech given to date was by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-California, in 2021. Jeffries may be gunning to surpass his 8 hour and 33 minute record. – Savannah Kuchar
When would the GOP tax and spending bill go into effect?
The nearly 900-page spending and tax bill covers a wide swath of government spending beyond Medicaid cuts and tax cuts, and there is a wide variation on when each provision goes into effect as well.
Medicaid: Nationwide Medicaid work requirements take effect Jan. 1, 2027, shortly after the mid-term elections decide which party controls Congress.
The legislation requires “able-bodied” Medicaid recipients to work 80 hours a month or qualify for an exemption, such as being a student, caregiver or having a disability. The work requirement applies to parents of children older than 13.
Tax rates: The bill permanently extends the tax cuts introduced in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which were set to expire this year. There should be not disruption in their application if the bill is signed.
SALT: The cap on the federal deduction for state and local taxes, known as SALT, would lift to $40,000 starting in 2025. That benefit starts to phaseout for people who earn more than $500,000 of income. In 2030 the increased deduction ends and the $40,000 limit would revert to $10,000.
Tips and overtime: No tax on tips or overtime are promises Trump made on the campaign trail when he was running for a second term. Workers will be able to deduct up to $25,000 in tips and up to $25,000 in overtime, but the tax law change is temporary and ends Dec. 31, 2028, right before he leaves office.
Child Tax Credit: Under current law, the maximum child tax credit is $2,000, which will revert to $1,000 after 2025 without changes from Congress. The GOP’s spending bill would permanently raise that maximum credit to $2,200 starting in 2025 and tie the amount to inflation going forward. There is no end date
Social Security tax deduction: Only some Social Security beneficiaries will be able to claim the deduction, which was also a promise Trump made on the campaign trail. This deduction is also temporary. It would last from 2025 to 2029.
The bill includes a temporary $6,000 deduction for seniors over the age of 65 and eliminates Social Security tax liability for seniors with adjusted gross incomes of $75,000 or less or $150,000 if filing as a married couple.
The lowest-income seniors who already don’t pay taxes on Social Security, those who choose to claim their benefits before they reach age 65 and those above a defined income threshold could not claim the deduction. – Sarah D. Wire
Trump senses victory: ‘What a great night it was’
President Donald Trump is starting to sense victory after House Republicans came together early in the morning of July 3 to approve a rule to advance his so-called “big, beautiful bill” to a final vote.
“What a great night it was,” Trump said in a July 3 post on Truth Social. “One of the most consequential Bills ever. The USA is the ‘HOTTEST’ Country in the World, by far!!!”
The only thing standing in the way of expected passage of Trump’s signature legislation in the Republican-controlled House is Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ protest speech from the House floor, which has stretched for more than five hours.
“As soon as he stops talking, we’ll get the job done for the American people,” House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters. “It takes a lot longer to build a lie than to tell the truth. So, he’s really spinning a long tale in there.” – Joey Garrison
House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters on July 3 that he expects President Trump’s major tax bill to make it through to final passage.
“We have the votes,” the Louisiana Republican said.
With a razor-thin majority in the House, Johnson can only afford to lose three Republican votes. Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie has previously said he will oppose the bill.
Members of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus have also raised concerns about the bill adding to the deficit. But Johnson expressed confidence in the bill’s passage, saying he’s “ready to roll.”
“The sooner we can get to it, the sooner the Democrats will stop talking, we’ll get this bill done with,” Johnson said. — Sudiksha Kochi
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, told reporters on July 3 that he expects there will be some Republican holdouts during the final vote.
“Nothing [has] been unanimous in this process, and that’s going to hold true on the floor. Obviously, you can only lose three on our side. And, you know, I feel very confident we’re going to pass the bill to the president’s desk in just a short period of time,” he said.
The bill had cleared a key procedural hurdle in a marathon session overnight. Scalise said that Trump had been on the phone with some holdouts who had concerns about the bill as early as 1 a.m.
“He was making it clear to them that for all the other changes people might want to make, the time for changes to this bill are over,” Scalise said. – Sudiksha Kochi
What time is the House vote?
House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters on July 3 that he expects the final vote to take place at around 8 a.m. or 8:30 a.m EDT.
But the timing really depends on how long House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries plans on delivering his floor speech protesting the measure. The New York Democrat is using a procedural tactic known as the ‘magic minute,’ which gives party leaders unlimited time to speak on the House floor. His speech has already stretched past two hours.
Jeffries started speaking shortly before 5 a.m. and said at around 7 a.m. that he is only halfway through his stories on families who are on Medicaid. His speech will likely delay the vote. – Sudiksha Kochi
What does the bill do for America’s 250th anniversary?
The GOP spending and tax bill includes $150 million for events, celebrations, and activities around the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence from Great Britain.
President Donald Trump is set to kick off the yearlong countdown to America’s 250th birthday with a July 3 speech at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.
The bill also includes $40 million for the creation of the National Garden of American Heroes. In April, the National Endowment for the Humanities began recruiting artists to create 250 statues for Trump’s Garden of Heroes idea. According to the grant application, each statue can cost up $200,000, must be life-sized and made of marble, granite, bronze, copper, or brass. – Sarah D. Wire
What does the GOP bill mean for Medicaid?
The GOP spending and tax bill would cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid, the state-federal health program for low-income families and the disabled. The bill is projected to eliminate insurance coverage for between 12 million and 20 million people over the next decade, according to two estimates.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office calculates that the bill would leave 11.8 million people uninsured by 2034. The Senate Joint Economic Committee Minority estimates that about 20 million people could lose coverage.
Medicaid insures 83 million low-income children and adults, or more than 1 in 5 Americans, according to KFF, a health policy nonprofit. Medicaid funds 63% of nursing home facility residents, according to KFF.
Republicans say the $900 billion-a-year program was allowed to grow too large under Democratic Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden by adding nondisabled adults they say don’t deserve government assistance, and they have long sought to scale it back. The expanded access has been in place for 13 years.
People may not recognize that their coverage is at risk, because in many states Medicaid goes by a local name. For example, California’s program is called “Medi-Cal” and Louisiana’s Medicaid program is called “Healthy Louisiana.”
The funding cuts mean states will receive smaller Medicaid payments from the federal government. – Sarah D. Wire
What Medicaid work requirements are in the bill?
The Trump tax bill imposes nationwide Medicaid work requirements that take effect Jan. 1, 2027, shortly after the mid-term elections decide which party controls the next Congress.
The legislation requires “able-bodied” Medicaid recipients to work 80 hours a month or qualify for an exemption, such as being a student, caregiver or having a disability. The work requirement applies to parents of children older than 13.
The bill would require states to check eligibility twice a year, rather than once. And states, which administer Medicaid, would have to set up systems to verify a person’s employment or exemption status.
The work requirements mean states will have extra administrative duties of verifying an enrollee’s work or volunteer status. – Sarah D. Wire
‘MAGA is not happy,’ Trump warned Republican holdouts
As the House debated a rule change to advance the bill forward earlier on the morning of July 3, President Donald Trump applied pressure to the conservative holdouts and expressed frustration with their stubbornness.
“FOR REPUBLICANS, THIS SHOULD BE AN EASY YES VOTE. RIDICULOUS!!!” Trump said in a 12:45 a.m. ET post on Truth Social.
A half-hour earlier, he wrote: “Largest Tax Cuts in History and a Booming Economy vs. Biggest Tax Increase in History, and a Failed Economy. What are the Republicans waiting for??? What are you trying to prove??? MAGA IS NOT HAPPY, AND IT’S COSTING YOU VOTES!!!” – Joey Garrison
What’s President Trump’s schedule today?
President Donald Trump was up until the wee hours of the morning following along with the House votes on social media, where he urged Republican holdouts on the bill to get on board ahead of final passage.
He’ll receive his intelligence briefing at 11:30 a.m. EDT in the Oval Office before meeting with Edan Alexander, an American citizen who was serving in the Israeli military when he was abducted by Hamas militants on Oct. 7, 2023. Alexander was believed to be the last living American in Hamas captivity at the time of his May 12 release.
Later in the day, Trump will depart for Des Moines, Iowa, for a “Salute to America” celebration that kicks off a yearlong countdown to America’s 250th birthday. He’ll deliver a speech at the Iowa State Fairgrounds that is set include “patriotic entertainment” and fireworks. – Francesca Chambers
Trump’s sweeping tax bill cleared a key procedural hurdle in a marathon overnight session, paving the way for the final vote.
In the early morning hours of July 3, 219 Republicans voted on a rule to begin consideration of the bill. Some Republican opponents of the rule had flipped their vote after pressure from House Speaker Mike Johnson.
The vote was open for several hours as Johnson worked to flip holdouts who had concerns about the bill. Trump even expressed frustration at one point, writing in a Truth Social post, “FOR REPUBLICANS, THIS SHOULD BE AN EASY YES VOTE. RIDICULOUS!!!” – Sudiksha Kochi
Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized Trump’s sweeping tax and domestic policy bill under a procedural tactic known as ‘magic minute,’ which allows party leaders to have unlimited speaking time on the floor.
Jeffries’ speech started shortly before 5 a.m., as the bill moves closer to passing the House, and it has already stretched past an hour.
“I rise today in strong opposition to Donald Trump’s disgusting abomination…that guts Medicaid, rips food from the mouths of children, seniors and veterans, and rewards billionaires with massive tax breaks,” Jeffries said.
He condemned the cuts in spending for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the bill, arguing that the cost of living is too high.
“Cruelty should never be the objective or the outcome of legislation that we consider here in the House of Representatives,” he said. – Sudiksha Kochi
