'One Big Beautiful Bill' secures narrow victory in Congress

Roya News

16 hours ago

US President Donald Trump scored a major legislative win Thursday after Congress passed his expansive tax and spending bill by a razor-thin margin, marking a defining moment in his second-term agenda and delivering on key campaign promises, including mass deportations and increased military spending.
The bill, dubbed the "One Big Beautiful Bill" by House Speaker Mike Johnson, passed the House of Representatives 218-214 following intense overnight negotiations. The Senate had approved the package earlier this week, and Trump is expected to sign it into law Friday, coinciding with Independence Day.
'Everything was an absolute disaster under the Biden-Harris radical regime,' Johnson said after the vote. 'We took the best effort that we could, in one big, beautiful bill to fix as much of it as we could. And I am so grateful that we got that done.'
Trump, for his part, hailed the passage as a historic turning point. 'One of the most consequential Bills ever,' he wrote on social media. 'The USA is the 'HOTTEST' Country in the World, by far!!!'
The legislation pushes forward a range of Trump's core policy priorities, including extending USD 4.5 trillion in tax breaks from his first term, funding for mass deportations, and significantly increasing defense and border enforcement budgets. It also reflects his firm grip over the Republican Party, with internal dissent in the GOP eventually overcome through pressure from leadership and the White House.
Still, the bill has sparked fierce backlash from Democrats and some moderate Republicans. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries delayed Thursday's vote with an hours-long speech criticizing the legislation as a handout to the wealthy at the expense of working families.
'This bill, this one big, ugly bill, this reckless Republican budget, this disgusting abomination, is not about improving the quality of life of the American people,' Jeffries said on the House floor.
Critics argue the bill will dramatically deepen income inequality and strip millions of low-income Americans of essential services. Estimates suggest up to 17 million people could lose Medicaid coverage, while federal food assistance will be curtailed. Rural hospitals are also expected to be hit hard.
The Congressional Budget Office projected the legislation would add USD 3.4 trillion to the national deficit over the next decade.
Despite these concerns, Trump allies celebrated the victory as part of a string of recent wins for the president. These include a favorable Supreme Court ruling limiting federal judicial authority and recent US airstrikes that contributed to a ceasefire between 'Israel' and Iran.
However, the bill's path to passage was not without friction. Trump reportedly made personal calls and held multiple White House meetings to sway reluctant lawmakers, walking a tightrope between conservative budget hawks and members concerned about political blowback ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Former President Joe Biden, reacting to the bill's passage, condemned the outcome. 'It's not only reckless, it's cruel,' he said in a statement.
In addition to scaling back social programs, the bill phases out incentives for clean energy and electric vehicles, reigniting a public feud between Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk, once one of his prominent advisors.