Trump’s Tax-and-Spending Bill Passes Congress in Major Victory

The US House of Representatives has passed Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill, marking the first major legislative win of his second term. The bill, which passed narrowly in a 218-214 vote, is expected to accelerate immigration enforcement and cut federal safety net programs.The legislation, drafted by congressional Republicans and opposed unanimously by Democrats, faced weeks of intense negotiations and all-night votes. Hardline conservatives were persuaded to support the bill after last-minute talks. Only two Republicans—Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania—voted against it, citing concerns over rising deficits and cuts to Medicaid.House Speaker Mike Johnson celebrated the bill as a transformative step:> “With one big, beautiful bill, we are going to make this country stronger, safer, and more prosperous than ever before.”Key Provisions of the Bill:Extends Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanently, and creates new tax exemptions for tips, overtime pay, and car loan interest.Cuts Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding, imposing new work requirements and forcing states to share costs—changes expected to cause millions to lose benefits.Allocates $45 billion for ICE detention, $14 billion for deportation operations, and $50 billion for Trump’s proposed border wall.Phases out Biden-era green energy tax incentives, undermining federal efforts to combat climate change.According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill will add $3.3 trillion to the national debt by 2034.Democrats condemned the legislation as an attack on vulnerable Americans. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries gave a record-breaking 8-hour, 44-minute speech opposing the bill, calling it> “one big, ugly bill”that “rips food out of the mouths of vulnerable Americans” to pay for tax cuts benefiting the wealthy.Republicans argue the bill will boost economic growth and strengthen border security. But some within the GOP were uneasy about deep cuts to social programs, fearing backlash from constituents. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina declined to support the bill, later announcing plans to retire.Trump had made passing the bill a top priority, and secured support from House conservatives through promises of future executive actions, though details of those agreements remain unclear.The legislation was passed using budget reconciliation rules, allowing Republicans to avoid a Senate filibuster.