The spending measure, seen as a crucial move for President Trump ahead of the 2025 elections, passed on party lines amid growing concerns over increased national debt.
**House Approves Controversial Trump-Supported Spending Bill in Narrow Vote**
**House Approves Controversial Trump-Supported Spending Bill in Narrow Vote**
The US House of Representatives edges closer to Trump's fiscal agenda with a narrow vote on a spending bill that could reshape government funding.
The US House of Representatives passed a contentious spending bill on Tuesday, narrowly securing a victory for the Trump administration as it pushes for a multi-trillion dollar budget to support its 2025 agenda. The bill, approved by a 217-215 vote, was a significant test for House Speaker Mike Johnson, who had previously postponed the vote due to insufficient support within his ranks.
Dissent was evident, with many Republicans calling for stricter fiscal discipline, particularly regarding the proposed $4.5 trillion tax cuts. These cuts are partly financed by proposed spending reductions, even as they risk exacerbating the national debt. Ultimately, the bill passed along party lines, with unanimous opposition from Democrats and one Republican, Thomas Massie from Kentucky, breaking ranks to express his dissatisfaction over the bill’s spending cuts.
This ambitious budget plan seeks to outline $2 trillion in spending reductions over the next decade to fund Trump's initiatives, which include more than $100 billion allocated for military spending and immigration enforcement. It also aims to maintain the tax breaks from his first term, which are slated to expire soon.
However, the bill’s journey is far from over. The spending plan must undergo reconciliation with a separate budget proposal currently being discussed in the Senate. Even if both legislative chambers can agree, further negotiations will be necessary to finalize the rules before the bill reaches Trump's desk for signing.
Initially, the vote was delayed as Speaker Johnson and senior Republican figures like Steve Scalise worked to consolidate support from hesitant party members. Reports indicate that Trump personally reached out to some dissenters to sway their votes. Notably, three previously opposed representatives changed their votes to support the bill, illustrating the influence of Trump’s involvement in the process.
Democrats criticized the budget as heavily favoring wealthy Americans, arguing it would disproportionately impact low-income families reliant on Medicaid. They made concerted efforts to ensure attendance for the critical vote, including Representative Brittany Petterson, who arrived with her child while on maternity leave to cast her vote.
The pressure is now on the Senate to consider the House's spending framework, especially following Trump’s endorsement of the bill amidst their ongoing discussions of a separate fiscal proposal.
Dissent was evident, with many Republicans calling for stricter fiscal discipline, particularly regarding the proposed $4.5 trillion tax cuts. These cuts are partly financed by proposed spending reductions, even as they risk exacerbating the national debt. Ultimately, the bill passed along party lines, with unanimous opposition from Democrats and one Republican, Thomas Massie from Kentucky, breaking ranks to express his dissatisfaction over the bill’s spending cuts.
This ambitious budget plan seeks to outline $2 trillion in spending reductions over the next decade to fund Trump's initiatives, which include more than $100 billion allocated for military spending and immigration enforcement. It also aims to maintain the tax breaks from his first term, which are slated to expire soon.
However, the bill’s journey is far from over. The spending plan must undergo reconciliation with a separate budget proposal currently being discussed in the Senate. Even if both legislative chambers can agree, further negotiations will be necessary to finalize the rules before the bill reaches Trump's desk for signing.
Initially, the vote was delayed as Speaker Johnson and senior Republican figures like Steve Scalise worked to consolidate support from hesitant party members. Reports indicate that Trump personally reached out to some dissenters to sway their votes. Notably, three previously opposed representatives changed their votes to support the bill, illustrating the influence of Trump’s involvement in the process.
Democrats criticized the budget as heavily favoring wealthy Americans, arguing it would disproportionately impact low-income families reliant on Medicaid. They made concerted efforts to ensure attendance for the critical vote, including Representative Brittany Petterson, who arrived with her child while on maternity leave to cast her vote.
The pressure is now on the Senate to consider the House's spending framework, especially following Trump’s endorsement of the bill amidst their ongoing discussions of a separate fiscal proposal.
