Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' Passed by US House by One Vote
By Barney Henderson
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The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed President Donald Trump's sweeping budget package early Thursday morning, marking the first major legislative milestone of his second term in office.
In a razor-thin 215—214 vote, the Republican-led House pushed through the more-than-1,000-page bill after days of tense negotiations among deeply divided GOP factions.
Speaker Mike Johnson said: "To put it simply, this bill gets Americans back to winning again."
The budget bill now moves to the Senate, where Republicans maintain a slim majority.
Two Republicans Vote Against Bill
Two Republicans broke ranks and joined every House Democrat in voting against the bill, Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Representative Warren Davidson of Ohio. Representative Andy Harris of Maryland, the chair of the House Freedom Caucus, voted "present." Two Republicans, Representatives David Schweikert of Arizona and Andrew Garbarino of New York, did not vote.
Mike Johnson
In this image from video, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., announces the final vote total after the House of Representatives passed President Donald Trump's big bill of tax breaks and program cuts after... More House Television via AP
Why It Matters
The legislation would make permanent the individual income and estate tax cuts passed during Trump's first term and add fresh exemptions for tipped income, overtime pay, and interest on certain auto loans—moves designed to appeal to working-class voters.
To help offset the anticipated revenue shortfall, estimated at roughly $3.8 trillion, the bill would repeal or fast-track the expiration of clean energy tax credits enacted under President Joe Biden. That rollback would substantially reduce the net cost of the package.
Among the temporary measures included is a boost to the standard deduction: an increase of $1,000 for individual taxpayers, bringing it to $16,000, and a $2,000 increase for joint filers, raising their deduction to $32,000. The deduction directly reduces taxable income.
The child tax credit would also see a temporary $500 increase, rising to $2,500 for tax years 2025 through 2028, before reverting to $2,000. Future adjustments would be pegged to inflation.
In a significant win for wealthier households, the estate tax exemption would climb to $15 million, with annual inflation adjustments ensuring it continues to rise over time.
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Additionally, the package includes $350 billion in new spending. Around $150 billion would go to the Pentagon for projects including for the Trump's new " Golden Dome" defense shield, and the rest would help fund the President's mass deportation and border security agenda.
New Work Requirements for Medicaid
A focal point of the package is nearly $700 billion in reduced spending in the Medicaid program, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
To be eligible for Medicaid, there would be new "community engagement requirements" of at least 80 hours per month of work, education or service for able-bodied adults without dependents. The new requirements would begin on Dec. 31, 2026. People would also have to verify their eligibility for the program twice a year, rather than just once.
What People Are Saying
Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader, Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar released a joint statement from the Democratic leadership: "Today, every single House Democrat voted to stop the largest cuts to Medicaid and food assistance in American history. The GOP Tax Scam rips healthcare and food assistance away from millions of people in order to provide tax cuts to the wealthy, the well-off and the well-connected.
"House Republicans promised to lower costs. Instead, Donald Trump's One Big Ugly Bill will mean millions of families will pay higher premiums, copays and deductibles. Hospitals will close, nursing homes will shut down and communities will suffer. It will take food out of the mouths of children, seniors and veterans at a time when too many families are already struggling to live paycheck to paycheck.
"The GOP Tax Scam is deeply unpopular, which is why Republicans made every effort to advance it during the dead of night. For more than 28 hours, beginning with Rules Committee Ranking Member Jim McGovern, Democrats forced Republicans to debate this toxic legislation before the American people. This fight is just beginning, and House Democrats will continue to use every tool at our disposal to ensure that the GOP Tax Scam is buried deep in the ground, never to rise again."
Representative Tony Gonzales (Rep) of Texas said: "After four years of disastrous national security and economic policies, we're putting America back on the right track.
"This morning, I voted yes on the House reconciliation package, which includes funding to reimburse our state for Operation Lone Star costs, a priority I've fought for since House budget talks began. Through my seat on the House Homeland Security Committee, I helped shape the bill's border security provisions, which include funding for checkpoint upgrades, new technology and infrastructure, Operation Stonegarden law enforcement grants, and CBP bonuses. This legislation also extends critical tax cuts, protecting TX-23 families from a 24% tax hike, and streamlines natural gas permitting to boost energy production in West Texas and lower energy costs."
Representative Elise Stefanik (Rep) of New York said: "Today, I was proud to be the deciding vote to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill, a historic victory for New Yorkers and President Trump's America First agenda.
"More than 77 million Americans gave House Republicans and President Trump a mandate to cut taxes, secure our borders, restore energy independence, and deliver peace through strength.
This legislation includes key provisions that will benefit hardworking New York families. I was especially proud to work with my New York Republican colleagues to lead on delivering significant tax relief for New Yorkers by increasing the State and Local Tax cap by 300%—a win for hard working families struggling under the weight of the highest tax burden in the nation because of Gov. Kathy Hochul's failed Far Left tax and spend Democrat policies."
What's Next
The bill now heads to the Senate, where it is likely to face significant revisions before a final vote.
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