After a historic and emotionally charged debate, the House of Representatives on Thursday passed President Donald Trump’s sweeping “Big, Beautiful Bill,” sending it to the White House for final approval. The legislation, which ties together a vast array of Republican priorities, passed narrowly in a 218–214 vote, with only two GOP lawmakers — Reps. Thomas Massie (KY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA) — opposing it.
House Speaker Mike Johnson declared the bill’s passage a monumental political victory, capping off days of frenzied negotiations and an aggressive pressure campaign led by the White House. “This day is a hugely important one,” Johnson said moments before the final vote. “It represents a culmination of our conservative agenda and a major victory for the American people.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Trump will sign the bill at a 5 p.m. ET ceremony on Friday, calling it “a victorious day for the American people.”
A Landmark, Controversial Package
The final bill includes a $5 trillion debt ceiling increase, large-scale tax reform, and major changes to healthcare, education, and federal spending. Among its provisions:
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No federal taxes on tips up to a capped amount
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Cuts to student loan forgiveness and a scaling back of Pell Grants
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Expanded state tax deductions
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Creation of “MAGA accounts” for children, offering tax-advantaged savings
However, it was the healthcare component that generated the most controversy. The legislation includes hundreds of billions in cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating that millions of Americans will lose health coverage over the next decade.
National Debt Concerns
Economists and budget watchdogs have sounded alarms about the bill’s fiscal impact. The package is expected to generate $4 trillion in new debt over the next 10 years, pushing the national debt past $40 trillion. Analysts also criticized Republicans’ use of accounting techniques to obscure the true cost of the legislation.
Despite those concerns, Republican leaders hailed the package as a “historic unification” of party priorities. For Trump, the bill represents a key legislative triumph ahead of the November election and solidifies his second-term agenda with landmark changes to taxation and social spending.
With the president’s signature expected Friday, the “Big, Beautiful Bill” is poised to become one of the most consequential — and divisive — laws of the modern era.
