 "US President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. Vice President JD Vance and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson applaud behind him. Reuters")
After over seven hours of lobbying and negotiations, the US House of Representatives have finally moved a step closer to passing US President Donald Trump’s highly controversial Big Beautiful Bill.
On Thursday morning, following a late-night session on Wednesday, the Republicans finally managed to overcome opposition from Conservative members of the party who had threatened to block the bill by holding votes. The party managed to overcome a key procedural hurdle after a dramatic vote that the GOP leaders left open for hours to quell an internal revolt.
The chamber voted 219-213 to adopt a rule governing debate on Trump’s domestic agenda, opening up discussion on the megabill and heading closer to a final vote on the package. US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson scurried to gain support from Republicans after he faced opposition to the legislation from various corners of his ideologically diverse party.
The photo to remember
In a dramatic and unusual moment on the House floor, Johnson convened the group of GOP holdouts on the floor, and the group prayed together shortly before the vote closed. He went on to snap a photo of the GOP critics after the votes tilted in the Trump administration’s favour.
With the Thursday hurdle clear, it sets up Johnson and his team to pass the legislation later Thursday morning, well ahead of their self-imposed July 4 deadline. It is pertinent to note that the US Senate has already passed the bill with a razor-thin margin. Hence, after the bill is passed in the House, it would go to Trump’s desk, where the POTUS is expected to sign his ambitious plan, commemorating the independence of the United States.
Hard-line Republicans, including many members of the House Freedom Caucus, were seen shuffling in and out of the room during voting. They argued the Senate’s changes have made the bill less fiscally responsible compared to the House’s original version. Meanwhile, Moderates voiced their concerns. Some centrist Republicans are worried about how Medicaid cuts and reductions in green energy incentives will impact their districts.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAmidst the chaos, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), however, told reporters that leadership is waiting on some Republicans to arrive at the Capitol after facing travel issues due to intense weather across the country. He noted that the voting will be resumed once the absent members arrive on the House floor. This played a crucial role, as Republicans who had fought a tough climate backed Trump’s bill.
The House will now proceed to debate the “big, beautiful bill” and then a vote on final passage, which Johnson said he expected around 8 or 8:30 a.m.