House Passes Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”

In Narrow Victory, Bolstered by Hakeem Jeffries’ Marathon Speech in Washington, D.C. – July 3, 2025 – The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), President Donald Trump’s signature tax and spending legislation, passed the House of Representatives today in a tight 218-214 vote, securing a major legislative victory for the Trump administration. The bill, which previously cleared the Senate on July 1 with a 51-50 vote and Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote, now heads to the President’s desk for his signature, meeting his self-imposed July 4 deadline.

The BBB, a sprawling budget reconciliation bill, extends the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, boosts funding for border security and immigration enforcement, and introduces stricter eligibility requirements for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). However, it has drawn criticism for its projected $2.8 trillion addition to the national deficit over the next decade and cuts that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates will result in 10.9 million Americans losing health insurance coverage.

The House vote followed a dramatic overnight session marked by internal Republican divisions and a record-breaking speech by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). Starting at 4:52 a.m., Jeffries spoke for 8 hours and 44 minutes, using the “magic minute” privilege to delay the vote. His speech, the longest in House history, focused on the bill’s cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, which he called an “unprecedented assault on the American people.” Jeffries read letters from constituents, highlighting the human impact of the proposed cuts, and urged Republicans to oppose the “big ugly bill.” Democrats gave him standing ovations, though some, including Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) and Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), were reportedly seen dozing off during the marathon address.

Ironically, Jeffries’ speech may have inadvertently swayed at least one Republican vote in favor of the bill. Vice President JD Vance shared a text message he received from an unnamed GOP Congressman, stating, “I was undecided on the bill but then I watched Hakeem Jeffries’ performance and now I’m a firm yes.” Vance’s post on X, which some interpreted as trolling, sparked amusement among conservative users and frustration among Democrats, with one X user calling it a “meme storm.”

The House vote was not without challenges. With a slim 220-212 Republican majority, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) could afford only three defections. Moderate Republicans, such as Reps. David Valadao (R-CA) and Young Kim (R-CA), expressed concerns over Medicaid cuts, while fiscal conservatives like Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) opposed the bill’s deficit increase. President Trump and Johnson engaged in intense lobbying, with Trump reportedly offering assurances of future executive actions to secure votes. The House ultimately passed the Senate’s version without amendments, avoiding further delays.

Senate passage earlier this week was equally contentious, with GOP Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Susan Collins (R-ME) voting against the bill, necessitating Vance’s tie-breaking vote. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was persuaded to support the bill after negotiations addressed Alaska-specific Medicaid and SNAP provisions.

President Trump celebrated the victory, stating, “This is a great bill with something for everyone. It will make America stronger, safer, and more prosperous.” However, Democrats, led by Jeffries, vowed to continue fighting the bill’s cuts, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) calling it a “radical bill” that harms vulnerable Americans.