On Thursday, May 22, House Republicans narrowly passed President Donald Trump’s sweeping legislative package, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, in a 215–214 vote, after a tense 48-hour effort to bring together fiscal conservatives and moderates.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where debate is expected over controversial provisions including spending cuts, Medicaid reforms, and green energy rollbacks.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, calling it “the most consequential legislation passed under such a slim majority,” celebrated the victory, declaring, “It quite literally is, again, morning in America.”
The vote saw two Republicans—Warren Davidson (Ohio) and Thomas Massie (Kentucky)—join all 212 Democrats in opposition, while Rep. Andy Harris (Maryland) voted “present.” Harris, along with Rep. Chip Roy (Texas), led a last-minute effort to stall the bill, prompting a White House meeting with Trump that resulted in informal agreements on future executive actions and legislative tweaks.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
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Extends Trump’s 2017 tax cuts
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Eliminates federal taxes on:
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Qualified tips
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Overtime pay
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Car loan interest payments
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Raises SALT deduction cap to:
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$40,000 for individuals
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$20,000 for married individuals filing separately
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With income caps of $500,000 and $250,000 respectively
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Raises the debt ceiling by $4 trillion
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Allocates $175 billion to border security, including $46.5 billion for wall construction
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Sets $150 billion in defense spending, with $25 billion for a space-based missile defense system
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Requires 80 hours of work per month for able-bodied adults aged 19–64 to qualify for Medicaid
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Expands SNAP work requirements for childless adults up to age 64
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Fast-tracks natural gas project permitting
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Rolls back EV sales mandate, ending the 2032 goal for two-thirds of new car sales to be electric
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Creates $1,000 “Trump Savings Accounts” for children born between 2025 and 2029
Changes in the final “Manager’s Amendment” included accelerating Medicaid work requirements to start by December 31, 2026, and ending tax credits for wind, solar, and battery storage projects after certain deadlines.
Notably, Rep. David Schweikert missed the vote, and Rep. Andrew Garbarino, who helped negotiate the SALT compromise but opposed some green energy cuts, reportedly fell asleep during the session. Speaker Johnson joked, “I’m going to just strangle him. But he’s my dear friend.”
On Truth Social, Trump praised the bill’s passage and Speaker Johnson, urging the Senate to act swiftly: Now, it’s time for our friends in the Senate to get to work and send this bill to my desk as soon as possible.
He also criticized Democrats as being “out of touch” with voters.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned the bill’s tax breaks and Medicaid changes, while Speaker Johnson praised Rep. Virginia Foxx for managing the deluge of Democratic amendments that preceded the vote.
The bill’s fate in the Senate remains uncertain, as moderate Republicans and Democrats are expected to push for revisions before it can advance.