May 22, 2025
We’re accomplishing a big thing here today, but we know this isn’t the end of the road.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) in a floor speech before the House voted 215-214 to pass the budget bill early on Thursday morning. The tax cut and spending bill now heads to the Republican-led Senate, where lawmakers are expected to make changes.
Why It Matters: The multitrillion-dollar legislation represents much of the Trump administration’s intended agenda and has stirred weeks of heated negotiations among lawmakers. Some of the proposed cuts and spending in the 1,000+ page bill include:
- Raising the debt ceiling by $4 trillion.
- Extending roughly $4.5 trillion in tax breaks that Pres. Donald Trump introduced in his first term.
- Eliminating taxes on tips and overtime work.
- Nearly $1 trillion in cuts from SNAP food stamps and Medicaid.
- Rollbacks on green energy tax breaks introduced during the Biden administration.
- About $350 billion on spending for border security and defense spending, including for the new “Golden Dome” defense shield.
The Vote: After a long overnight debate, two Republicans — Rep. Thomas Massie (KY) and Rep. Warren Davidson (OH) — voted against the bill alongside all present Democrats. One other Republican opted to vote present and two did not vote. (Click HERE to see the voting record.)
Response from Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY): “Here’s what it will mean for the American people. Children will get hurt. Women will get hurt. Older Americans who rely on Medicaid for nursing home care and for home care will get hurt. People with disabilities who rely on Medicaid to survive, will get hurt. Hospitals in your districts will close. Nursing homes will shut down. And people will die.”
Read More: House Republicans pass Trump’s big bill of tax breaks and program cuts after all-night session (The Associated Press)
House passes sweeping domestic policy package after Trump and Speaker Johnson win over holdouts (NBC News)
by Emily Hooker, based in Texas
