The US House of Representatives moved a step closer early Thursday to voting on President Donald Trump’s signature domestic policy initiative, dubbed the "big beautiful bill," after Republican leaders overcame resistance from conservative lawmakers threatening to derail it.
The Republican-controlled House advanced the sweeping tax-cut and spending legislation by narrowly clearing a key procedural hurdle. In a 219-213 vote, lawmakers approved a motion to proceed, setting the stage for a potential final vote later in the day.
The vote came after hours of closed-door negotiations and delay, during which House Speaker Mike Johnson worked to consolidate GOP support. The tight margin suggests that previously reluctant Republican members ultimately agreed to allow debate on the measure, though divisions within the party remain.
While this procedural victory marks progress for Trump’s ambitious economic agenda, the bill must still pass a final vote in the House before it can advance to the Senate.
Despite the divisions, Republican leaders hailed the bill as a win for working-class Americans. The legislation increases the child tax credit and introduces a new bonus deduction for seniors, aiming to phase out taxes on Social Security benefits. It also proposes “baby bonds” — government-seeded savings accounts with $1,000 for every newborn — and allows purchasers of American-made vehicles to deduct up to $10,000 in car loan interest.
Still, the bill’s path to final approval remains uncertain. Several House Republicans have expressed reservations about Senate revisions, threatening delays as Trump pushes for swift enactment.
If passed by the House and signed into law, the bill would represent a major rollback of Biden-era policies and a dramatic reshaping of the federal government’s role in economic and social welfare.
