Title: U.S. House Passes Controversial “One Big Beautiful Bill” After Lengthy Debate
After nearly 29 hours of intense discussion, the United States House of Representatives has successfully passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a substantial tax cut and spending package central to President Donald Trump’s agenda. The lower chamber of Congress voted 218 to 214 in favor of the bill on Thursday, with all 212 Democratic representatives opposing it. Notably, Republicans Thomas Massie from Kentucky and Brian Fitzpatrick from Pennsylvania broke ranks to vote against the majority.
The bill now awaits President Trump’s signature at the White House, as he has urged his party to enact the legislation before the upcoming July 4th Independence Day celebrations. This new law will raise the U.S. debt ceiling by $5 trillion, allowing the federal government to borrow more. It also allocates billions towards immigration enforcement—one of Trump’s key priorities—and solidifies the tax cuts from 2017 that he advocated during his first term.
To fund these initiatives, the legislation proposes cuts to social programs such as Medicaid, which provides health insurance to low-income families, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly referred to as food stamps. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office predicts that this bill may increase the number of uninsured Americans by 17 million over the next decade, while also projecting a $3.3 trillion rise in the national deficit.
Critics, particularly Democrats, have condemned the bill as a significant transfer of wealth from the poor to the wealthy, arguing that the tax breaks primarily benefit high-income earners. Supporters, including Trump, assert that the bill will stimulate economic growth and reduce waste in programs like Medicaid. However, it’s worth noting that not all Republicans were on board; some expressed concerns regarding the Medicaid cuts and the impact on low-income and rural communities.
In a social media post, Trump stated, “FOR REPUBLICANS, THIS SHOULD BE AN EASY YES VOTE. RIDICULOUS!!!” Even Elon Musk, a former ally of Trump, publicly criticized certain provisions of the bill as “pork.”
A Record-Breaking Speech by Hakeem Jeffries
In the lead-up to the vote, Democrats attempted to delay proceedings to give constituents time to voice their concerns. Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered an unprecedented marathon speech that lasted approximately eight hours and 44 minutes—the longest ever recorded on the House floor. Starting at 4:53 AM local time, Jeffries passionately appealed to Republicans to resist what he labeled Trump’s detrimental policies.
“I’m here to take my sweet time on behalf of the American people,” he stated, emphasizing that the deadline set by Trump was not his priority. He referred to the “One Big Beautiful Bill” as the “One Big Ugly Bill,” arguing that it would harm everyday citizens while offering tax breaks to billionaires.
Jeffries called on his colleagues to demonstrate “John McCain-level courage,” referencing the late Republican senator known for his bipartisan spirit and willingness to challenge Trump on healthcare issues. He urged Republican members to collaborate with Democrats for the benefit of the American populace.
Polling data from Quinnipiac University revealed that only 29% of respondents supported the legislation, while 55% opposed it. Jeffries concluded his speech to enthusiastic applause from Democrats, who chanted his name.
Republican Rallying Before the Vote
As the House prepared for the crucial vote, Speaker Mike Johnson rallied Republicans to unite. He took a jab at Jeffries’s extended speech, stating, “It takes a lot longer to build a lie than to tell the simple truth.” Johnson asserted that the “One Big Beautiful Bill” would strengthen programs like Medicaid through reforms.
Despite the push for unity, two Republicans ultimately voted against the bill. Representative Fitzpatrick expressed disappointment, stating that the Senate version of the bill undermined previous efforts to protect Medicaid.
A Long Journey to Passage
The path to passing the “One Big Beautiful Bill” has been arduous for Republicans, with initial approval occurring on May 22 by a narrow margin of 215 to 214. Following a challenging journey through the Senate, where a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance was necessary, the House voted on the revised bill.
While the Senate removed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” label from the final legislation, some Republican senators, including Lisa Murkowski from Alaska, have voiced concerns over potential ramifications for social safety net programs. Murkowski stressed the need for more thoughtful policymaking, criticizing the rushed process intended to meet an artificial deadline.
As the bill heads to the White House, the implications of this significant legislation will likely resonate throughout the country and shape discussions on socio-economic policies in the years to come.
