The House Rules Committee has set the stage for a crucial vote on President Donald Trump’s significant spending bill, often referred to as his "big, beautiful bill." This decision comes after a lengthy debate that lasted nearly 12 hours. The bill has already cleared the Senate and is now ready for a full House vote on Wednesday.
This legislation is seen as a key part of Trump’s agenda, and House Republicans are eager to push it through. They believe it can help fulfill many of the promises made during Trump’s campaign. However, the bill has faced scrutiny from both sides of the aisle. While most Republicans are prepared to support it, some have expressed concerns regarding various aspects of the measure.
During the committee session, only two Republicans—Reps. Ralph Norman from South Carolina and Chip Roy from Texas—voted against moving the bill forward. No Democrats supported it, while the remaining Republicans did. This indicates a split within the party, as some members worry about the implications of the bill on the national debt and Medicaid coverage.
The bill aims to provide relief for middle and working-class Americans, with provisions that allow for tax deductions on overtime and tipped wages. House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith highlighted the importance of the child tax credit, which is set to increase to $2,200 per child under this bill, rather than dropping back to $1,000 at the end of the year.
Democrats have criticized the bill, arguing that it primarily benefits wealthy Americans while potentially harming lower-income individuals by cutting Medicaid funding. They have accused Republicans of adding billions to the national debt, particularly through the extension of tax cuts from Trump’s 2017 tax reform.
Despite these concerns, House GOP leaders are optimistic. They released a statement expressing their commitment to getting the bill to Trump’s desk by July 4th. This timeline is critical for Republicans, who want to demonstrate progress on Trump’s agenda.
As the House prepares for the vote, weather conditions in Washington could impact attendance. Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged that flight delays might affect how many lawmakers can participate in the vote. With Republicans holding a slim majority, they can afford to lose only three votes to pass the bill without any Democratic support.
The full House is expected to begin discussing the bill at 9 a.m. ET, with a procedural vote to follow. If successful, a final vote on the legislation will likely take place later in the day. The outcome is uncertain, but it could have significant implications for Trump’s presidency and the Republican Party’s direction moving forward.