Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, Jul 4: In a significant political milestone for US President Donald Trump, Congress on Thursday narrowly passed his mammoth tax and spending package, dubbed the "One Big Beautiful Bill," marking a turning point in his second-term agenda.

Passed with a tight vote of 218-214 in the House of Representatives, the bill is expected to be signed into law on July 4, America’s Independence Day — a symbolic victory for Trump, who hailed it as “One of the most consequential Bills ever. The USA is the ‘HOTTEST’ Country in the World, by far!!!” on social media.

The bill reflects Trump’s sweeping vision for America’s future: a dramatic increase in military spending, funding for mass deportations, and the extension of his earlier tax cuts amounting to $4.5 trillion. However, it comes with severe budgetary consequences — adding $3.4 trillion to the national deficit over the next decade and delivering sharp blows to health and welfare programs.

Despite serious reservations from both Republican moderates and fiscal hawks, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson managed to rally the GOP behind the bill after intense late-night negotiations. “Today we are laying a key cornerstone of America’s new Golden Age,” he declared.

The bill’s path to approval wasn’t without drama. Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries mounted a nearly nine-hour speech in a last-ditch effort to delay the vote. He slammed the legislation, calling it “one big, ugly bill” and a “disgusting abomination” that would hurt millions of ordinary Americans.

Key highlights of the bill include:

• Massive funding for deportation operations targeting undocumented immigrants.

• Deep cuts to Medicaid, likely impacting up to 17 million low-income Americans and threatening the closure of dozens of rural hospitals.

• Significant rollbacks in clean energy and electric vehicle subsidies — a move that has reportedly soured Trump’s relations with Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

While Republicans celebrated the bill’s passage as a legislative triumph, critics warn it will disproportionately hurt the poorest sections of society while rewarding the wealthiest through extended tax breaks.

The development follows a string of victories for Trump, including a recent Supreme Court ruling in his favour and foreign policy gains after U.S. air strikes contributed to a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

With Democrats eyeing the 2026 midterm elections, many hope public backlash against the bill’s contents will shift the balance of power in Congress. Until then, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” stands as a powerful symbol of Trump’s continued dominance over American political discourse.