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Trump’s $3.3 Trillion Megabill Clears Crucial House Hurdle Amid GOP Infighting

In a high-stakes overnight vote, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly voted 219 to 213 to advance former President Donald Trump’s $3.3 trillion legislative package, dubbed the “big, beautiful bill,” toward its final vote. The razor-thin margin comes after hours of Republican infighting, particularly among fiscal conservatives wary of rising deficits.

The vote, held in the early hours of Thursday morning, marked a significant win for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who worked late into the night to corral the fracturing GOP caucus. The “rule vote,” a procedural step to allow final debate, overcame fierce internal resistance and potential derailment from conservative hardliners.

A Day of High Drama and Political Deal-Making

For much of Wednesday, the bill was stuck in limbo. Five House Republicans—largely aligned with the House Freedom Caucus—had signaled they would vote against advancing the bill, citing concerns about deficit spending and Senate-added provisions on Medicaid cost-sharing and the debt ceiling.

Behind the scenes, both Johnson and Trump worked the phones, negotiating with reluctant members. Trump reportedly emphasized the political importance of unity and victory before the self-imposed July 4 deadline.

Their pressure campaign appeared to succeed—moderates like Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) were the only defectors as the bill passed by a slim margin.

Senate Modifications Stir Controversy

The House version of the bill had initially passed by just one vote in May. The Senate’s version, passed Tuesday with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote, included:

• A $5 trillion debt ceiling hike, up from the House’s $4 trillion proposal
• Adjustments to Medicaid cost-sharing for expansion states
• Revisions to tax policies, including limits on green energy tax credits

Speaker Johnson expressed frustration:

“I’m not happy with what the Senate did to our product... but we understand this is a process, and we’ll work to bring our members on board,” he told reporters.

What’s Inside the “Big, Beautiful Bill”?

The proposed legislation includes a sweeping list of Trump’s second-term priorities:

1. Permanent Tax Reforms

• Permanently extends tax cuts from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)
• Introduces new deductions for tipped and overtime wages
• Adds a tax break for Americans aged 65+

2. Spending Realignments

• Rolls back green energy incentives from Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, branded by Trump as the “Green New Scam”
• Boosts funding for the Department of Defense and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• Implements new work requirements for Medicaid and food assistance programs

3. Debt Ceiling and Fiscal Concerns

• Raises the debt ceiling by $5 trillion to avoid a default
• Fiscal conservatives warned this would explode the deficit unless offset by deeper spending cuts—concerns that nearly sank the rule vote

Trump’s Influence on GOP Unity

Trump took to Truth Social shortly after the Senate passed its version of the bill, urging GOP lawmakers to act swiftly:

“EVERYONE got a major Policy WIN — But the Biggest Winner of them all will be the American People... Lower Taxes, Higher Wages, Secure Borders, Stronger Military... We are on schedule — Let’s get it done before the July 4th vacation.”

His post served as a rallying cry to wavering Republicans, helping to override objections from both the conservative and moderate wings.

Democrats Oppose, Vow to Delay

House Democrats remain unified in their opposition. Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) said the party would use “every procedural tool” to delay the vote. Their criticism focuses on:

• Cuts to welfare programs
• Tax breaks favoring the wealthy
• Removal of green energy credits

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-R.I.) slammed the bill on the House floor:

“The top 1% are salivating over an extra $300,000 a year from this bill. Meanwhile, 17 million Americans could lose health coverage.”

Final Vote Ahead Amid Clock and Weather Concerns

A final House vote is expected later Thursday morning, though potential weather-related travel delays have lawmakers on edge. Johnson acknowledged concerns:

“We’re monitoring the weather closely... There’s a lot of delays right now.”

With both chambers holding only three-vote GOP majorities, even a single defection could imperil final passage. If approved, the bill will head to Trump’s desk for signature.

What’s Next?

While passage of the rule vote is a win for House leadership, the fight is not over. Democrats are expected to continue procedural delays, and the final vote could stretch into Thursday afternoon or beyond.

If signed into law, this bill would mark the most comprehensive shift in U.S. fiscal policy since 2017, setting the stage for Trump’s economic legacy should he return to office.

As the political fireworks continue inside the Capitol, the American public watches closely—waiting to see whether the biggest tax and spending overhaul in a decade becomes law before Independence Day.