Trump Scores Major Win as Congress Passes Sweeping Tax and Spending Bill

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

WASHINGTON — In a landmark legislative achievement for his second term, US President Donald Trump on Thursday secured the passage of his ambitious tax-and-spending bill through the House of Representatives, capping weeks of tense negotiations and partisan clashes.

The bill, which passed by a narrow 218-214 vote, represents a dramatic overhaul of federal tax policy and spending priorities.

At the same time, it dramatically scales up immigration enforcement, with funding for a border wall and billions allocated to expand Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.

House Speaker Mike Johnson praised the passage, calling it “one big, beautiful bill” that would make America “stronger, safer, and more prosperous than ever before.”

The legislation faced staunch opposition from Democrats, who uniformly voted against what they called “one big, ugly bill,” arguing that its sweeping cuts to anti-poverty programs would devastate millions of vulnerable Americans.

Key safety-net programs targeted include Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), both of which will see reduced funding and stricter eligibility requirements. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), these provisions could cost as many as 11.8 million Americans their health coverage and leave roughly 8 million without SNAP benefits.

In return for these cuts, the bill will permanently enshrine tax breaks that analysts say disproportionately benefit high-income households. The CBO warned the package would add $3.3 trillion to the national debt by 2034.

The bill also delivers $170 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), along with funding for 10,000 new agents by 2029, $45 billion for detention facilities, and $50 billion for border wall construction and fortifications.

Trump had pressed for the bill’s passage ahead of Independence Day, and GOP leadership scrambled to win over holdouts, with marathon sessions and private negotiations running until the early hours of Thursday. Ultimately, only two Republican members defected: Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who cited its impact on budget deficits, and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, who opposed Senate-driven changes to Medicaid.

Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries staged an impassioned eight-hour speech in a last-ditch effort to delay the measure, blasting it as an “extraordinary assault on everyday Americans” and a giveaway to wealthy donors.

Meanwhile, GOP moderates voiced concern about the cuts, with Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina refusing to support the bill, warning it would leave hundreds of thousands without care. Trump responded by vowing to back a primary challenger against Tillis, prompting him to announce his retirement.

The bill passed under budget reconciliation rules, bypassing a Senate filibuster — the same procedural shortcut Democrats used under Biden to pass pandemic relief and green energy incentives.

While Trump and House conservatives celebrated victory, the bill’s long-term effects — especially on deficit growth, social safety nets, and rural healthcare infrastructure — are expected to fuel fierce debate in the coming months.

Thank you for reading! For comprehensive news coverage and exclusive stories, visit SafartiTarjuman.com