House Republicans Push Through Trump’s Economic Package and Tax Bill by Single Vote
The U.S. House of Representatives passed President Donald Trump’s signature legislation by a single vote on Thursday. The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” cleared the chamber with a 215-214 margin after days of intense Republican negotiations and last-minute concessions.
The 1,116-page package permanently extends Trump’s 2017 tax cuts while eliminating taxes on tips, overtime pay, and Social Security benefits. It also removes interest taxes on vehicle financing and increases the standard deduction for seniors.
Republican leaders worked through the night to secure enough votes from their slim majority. The breakthrough came after Trump personally intervened, meeting with Speaker Mike Johnson and Freedom Caucus members at the White House on Wednesday.
The bill allocates approximately $350 billion in new spending. About $150 billion goes to the Pentagon, partially funding Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” defense shield. Significant funding also supports border security initiatives and deportation plans.
The legislation implements substantial changes to Medicaid and food stamps. It introduces new work requirements for Medicaid recipients, now scheduled to begin in December 2026 instead of the originally proposed 2029 implementation date.
House Republicans Push Through Trump’s Economic Package and Tax Bill by Single Vote
The legislation also rolls back many green energy tax credits from the Biden administration. It terminates the electric vehicle mandate requiring two-thirds of new car sales to be EVs by 2032.
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the bill as “cruel and unconscionable.” He accused Republicans of rushing the legislation to avoid public scrutiny of its impacts.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projects the bill would add approximately $3.3 trillion to the federal debt over the next decade. If certain temporary provisions become permanent, this could balloon to $5.8 trillion.
However, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent repeatedly emphasized in recent interviews that the tax legislation should be viewed as merely one component of a comprehensive three-part economic strategy.
He articulated that substantial revenue from new tariff policies and extensive deregulation initiatives would generate an unprecedented influx of capital, ultimately more than compensating for any fiscal impact from the tax reductions.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where it faces additional hurdles. Republican leaders have set July 4 as their deadline for final approval, giving them just over a month to navigate the closely divided upper chamber.
Only two House Republicans voted against the bill: Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Warren Davidson of Ohio. House Freedom Caucus chairman Andy Harris of Maryland voted present. The legislation passed without any Democratic support.
Trump celebrated the victory as fulfillment of key campaign promises. The White House claims the bill will deliver “explosive economic growth” and increase take-home pay for American families by up to $13,000.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief