WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — House Republicans were preparing to vote Thursday on President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful” tax breaks and spending cuts package, just one day ahead of his Fourth of July holiday deadline.
Final debates began in the predawn hours after another chaotic day at the Capitol.
House Speaker Mike Johnson insisted the vote would occur in time, after the Senate’s narrow approval of the package, decided by a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance.
Hakeem Jeffries gives ‘magic minute’ speech
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who has dubbed the package the “one big ugly bill,” spoke against the bill Thursday morning for at least three hours.
“How can you prepare to celebrate legislation that will undermine the quality of life of everyday Americans? It’s not just a hypothetical. It’s not just hyperbole. It’s not just hype,” Jeffries said. “It will happen. Everyday Americans will be hurt by the ‘one big, ugly bill.'”
Unlike other House members who face time limits during debates, party leaders have a procedural privilege known as the “magic minute,” a rule that allows them to speak for as long as they wish. Though it’s technically one minute, precedent treats it as unlimited until they choose to yield the floor.
Democrats argued the plan is a tax break for the wealthy, paid for by deep cuts that hurt the most vulnerable. One lawmaker called it “trickle-down cruelty.”
Trump attempts to sway GOP holdouts
The bill’s path through Congress has been difficult. Republicans have struggled to keep their slim majorities united, narrowly pushing the bill forward with just one vote to spare on multiple occasions. The House’s 220–212 Republican majority leaves little room for defections.
Overnight Wednesday, it took hours to secure a procedural vote to open formal debate. Sources told NewsNation and The Hill that Trump personally called undecided House Republicans into the early morning hours, urging them to finalize the deal.
Debate continued into Thursday, with speeches from both parties. Trump weighed in on social media, insisting it should be an “easy yes vote.” He scolded holdouts, writing, “What are you trying to prove? MAGA is not happy, and it’s costing you votes!”
Trump met at the White House with concerned House Republican lawmakers, some of whom are worried about the bill’s impact on Medicaid and the national deficit. Still, Republicans have said they’re confident the bill will reach Trump’s desk by Friday.
Trump is expected to leave for a “Salute to America” event in Iowa on Thursday night, but until then, he and his team are closely monitoring the vote.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Author: Tom Dempsey
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