House Passes Trump’s $4.5 Trillion Tax and Spending Bill Amid Division
WASHINGTON — In a closely contested vote of 218-214, House Republicans successfully pushed President Donald Trump’s $4.5 trillion tax breaks and spending cuts bill through Congress, just in time for the Fourth of July deadline. This legislative move represents a significant milestone for Trump’s second-term policy, despite the opposition of two Republicans and all Democrats.
House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the bill’s potential, claiming it would strengthen the nation economically and socially. The bill, encapsulated in over 800 pages, seeks to extend tax breaks from Trump’s 2017 legislation set to expire soon and introduce new deductions, including those for tips and overtime pay. However, to finance the tax breaks, the package proposes $1.2 trillion in cuts to safety net programs like Medicaid and food assistance, introducing stricter work requirements that could leave many vulnerable individuals without support.
Democrats, united in opposition, described the bill as a “tax giveaway to the rich,” further exacerbating inequality. Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries’s record-setting speech of nearly nine hours highlighted concerns that the cuts would adversely affect millions reliant on these programs.
Despite various setbacks and skepticism within their ranks, Republicans faced pressure from Trump and party leadership to support the measure. The Senate had previously passed the bill with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance, showcasing how essential party unity has become in this narrow majority.
As the legislation heads to the president for signing, it embodies a strategic push against the agendas of previous Democratic administrations, further polarizing partisan lines on critical social and economic policies. The implications of this legislation could reshape the American social safety net significantly, with advocates warning of devastating impacts on millions.
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