Early Thursday, Donald Trump’s key tax and spending bill faced uncertainty as Republican leaders in the US Congress worked diligently to persuade a faction of dissenters who could jeopardise the cornerstone of the president’s domestic agenda.
Former President Trump is pursuing final approval from the House of Representatives for his Senate-passed “One Big Beautiful Bill.” However, he is encountering resistance from various factions within his divided party, primarily due to concerns that the bill’s provisions will significantly increase the national debt and initiate a substantial overhaul of the social safety net.
As the clock struck midnight (04.00 GMT), House Speaker Mike Johnson continued to keep a crucial procedural vote open. This vote represents the final obstacle for the bill before it can move forward for final approval, having been in progress for over two hours since it was initially called.
As the stalemate shows no signs of resolution, his lieutenants are engaged in tense discussions behind closed doors with the rebels who either opposed the measure or have yet to appear on the House floor.
“We are set to arrive this evening.” Johnson expressed optimism regarding their progress during a press briefing at the Capitol, as reported by Politico.
Initially passed by the House in May, Trump’s extensive legislation narrowly made its way through the Senate on Tuesday, securing approval by just one vote. However, it was required to return to the House on Wednesday for formal acceptance of the Senate’s amendments.
The package reflects several of Trump’s campaign commitments, including an increase in military spending, the allocation of resources for a large-scale migrant deportation initiative, and a pledge of $4.5 trillion to prolong the tax relief established during his first term.
However, projections indicate that an additional $3.4 trillion will be added to the nation’s rapidly expanding deficits over the next ten years, while simultaneously implementing the most significant reductions to the Medicaid health insurance program since its inception in the 1960s.
Moderates in the House express concern that proposed cuts could jeopardise their chances for reelection, while fiscal hawks are expressing frustration over savings they believe do not meet the expectations set by hundreds of billions of dollars.
Johnson faces the challenge of navigating exceptionally narrow margins, with the possibility of losing only three lawmakers from a pool of over two dozen who have expressed willingness to oppose Trump’s bill.
– ‘Abomination’ –
Republican leaders anticipated a brief session on Wednesday afternoon to approve the package, yet they have a two-day buffer before Trump’s self-imposed deadline of July 4.
The 887-page document ultimately secured passage in the Senate following a series of modifications that shifted the House-approved version further to the right.
In a significant political shift, Republicans have seen the departure of a conservative voice, frustrated by the implications of increasing the nation’s $37 trillion debt. Additionally, two moderate members expressed concerns regarding nearly $1 trillion in proposed cuts to healthcare.
Estimates indicate that approximately 17 million recipients may face the loss of their health insurance, alongside a significant number of rural hospitals anticipated to shut down.
In the House, legislation must navigate a series of preliminary votes before reaching the final approval stage, with a majority required to advance at each step of the process.
Early in the day, warning signs emerged as the package faltered at one of its initial hurdles. A simple vote, expected to conclude in mere minutes, lingered for an unprecedented seven hours and 31 minutes, marking it as the longest House vote on record.
Johnson explicitly stated his expectation that Trump would exert influence over hesitant members, as he has previously done, to reverse the outcome of contentious House votes that appeared to be failing.
The president has dedicated weeks to persuading Republicans who find themselves caught between the backlash of welfare recipients in their constituencies and the potential consequences of provoking his discontent.
In a private meeting at the White House on Wednesday, Trump urged House Republicans to rally support and push the bill through, engaging with several members who had been hesitant to commit.
“What are the Republicans waiting for?” he questioned in a post on his Truth Social platform shortly after midnight.
What is it that you aim to demonstrate? The dissatisfaction among MAGA supporters is palpable, and it could have significant implications for voter turnout.
House Democrats are gearing up to leverage the bill as a key campaign issue in their bid to regain control of the chamber during the 2026 midterm elections. They highlight analyses that suggest the legislation marks a significant transfer of wealth from the nation’s poorest citizens to its wealthiest individuals.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed strong disapproval, stating, “Shame on Senate Republicans for passing this disgusting abomination,” during a press briefing.
