Trump secures major win as Congress passes his massive tax and spending bill just in time for July 4th

 

The US Congress has passed Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill in a narrow and contentious vote, marking a major victory for the president ahead of Independence Day. After a tense standoff among Republicans, the House approved the bill by a slim margin of 218 to 214 on Thursday, following a 51-49 Senate vote earlier in the week. Trump had given Congress until July 4th to send the final bill to his desk, and he is set to sign it into law at a ceremony on the national holiday. Despite internal party conflict, House Speaker Mike Johnson rallied the Republican majority by leaning heavily on party unity. Some hardline Republicans initially opposed the Senate’s version, including Representative Chip Roy of Texas, who had called the bill a “travesty” but later changed his stance. Only two GOP lawmakers ultimately voted against it. Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries tried to delay the vote with a marathon speech lasting over eight hoursthe longest in the chamber’s history. He fiercely criticized the bill’s impact on low-income Americans. Still, the legislation passed, triggering loud “USA!” chants from Republicans on the House floor. Trump called the legislation a “great bill for the country,” claiming it would “turn this country into a rocket ship.”

The new legislation represents a core piece of Trump’s domestic agenda. It extends Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanently and removes taxes on tips, overtime pay, and Social Security benefits. It also includes deep cuts to welfare programs and green energy initiatives while allocating $150 billion each to military spending and strict border enforcement. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill may add $3.3 trillion to the national deficit over the next decade and cause millions to lose health coverage. The White House has rejected these projections. Supporters say the cuts and tax changes will fuel economic growth, but critics argue the gains will mainly benefit the wealthy. Democrats have condemned the bill as an attack on the poor. Nancy Pelosi warned of a “dark and harrowing time,” while others called the bill cruel and elitist. Arizona’s Yassamin Ansari said she was “really sad right now,” and Texas Congressman Marc Veasey called Republicans “cowards” serving “chaos and corruption.” Tensions were high among Republicans in the lead-up to the vote, with Trump himself blasting dissenters on Truth Social, warning, “MAGA is not happy and it’s costing you votes!” Despite party divisions, Republican leaders ultimately pushed the bill through, setting the stage for a July 4th signing ceremony that will symbolize Trump’s firm grip on Congress and his agenda.

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