US President Donald Trump achieved his first major legislative success of his second term on Thursday. The House of Representatives narrowly passed his massive domestic policy bill by a vote of 218 to 214, according to CNN. The bill is now ready to be signed into law on July 4, marking the Independence Day holiday with a major political victory.

What the Bill Includes

The bill, already passed by the Senate earlier this week after a long debate, includes large tax cuts, increased military spending, and more funds for border security.

At the same time, it makes deep cuts to government safety-net programs, such as health and welfare services. These reductions represent the biggest rollback of federal support systems in decades.

Internal Tensions Within the GOP

While most Republicans backed the bill, some showed hesitation due to its impact on the national debt and the slashing of public services. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson worked hard to convince holdouts to support the bill. He spent the night lobbying skeptical members.

Eventually, they agreed, helping push forward what Trump called the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

Trump Celebrates the Win

Trump took to social media to celebrate. “One of the most consequential Bills ever. The USA is the ‘HOTTEST’ Country in the World, by far!!!” he posted.

( @realDonaldTrump - Truth Social Post )
( Donald J. Trump - Jul 03, 2025, 9:41 AM ET )

What a great night it was. One of the most consequential Bills ever. The USA is the “HOTTEST” Country in the World, by far!!! pic.twitter.com/wKLNdnMZ3I

— Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 TRUTH POSTS (@TruthTrumpPosts) July 3, 2025

This victory follows other recent wins for Trump, including a Supreme Court ruling that limited individual judges from blocking his policies, and U.S. airstrikes that helped bring about a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

The Bill Reflects Trump’s Core Agenda

The bill aligns with several key Trump campaign promises. It commits $4.5 trillion to extend tax cuts from his first term. It also backs a mass deportation drive and significantly boosts Pentagon funding.

House Speaker Johnson described it as historic. “Today we are laying a key cornerstone of America’s new Golden Age,” he said, according to AFP.

Democrats Strongly Oppose the Bill

On the other hand, Democrats harshly criticized the legislation. They argued it would hurt low-income Americans while benefiting the rich.

They believe public backlash against the bill could help them win back control of the House in the 2026 midterm elections. According to data they cited, the law shifts wealth from the poorest Americans to the wealthiest.

Jeffries Delays Vote with Record Speech

Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries tried to delay the vote. He spoke on the House floor for nearly nine hours, setting a new record for the longest speech in Congress. He started speaking at 4:53 a.m. EDT, according to the Associated Press.

During his speech, Jeffries read letters from Americans who depend on programs like Medicaid and SNAP. He claimed the bill was cruel and unjust.

“This bill, this one big, ugly bill – this reckless Republican budget, this disgusting abomination – is not about improving the quality of life of the American people,” he said.

Jeffries accused Republicans of stealing from vital social programs to fund tax breaks for the wealthy.