President Donald Trump has taken to social media to express his rustration over the delay in passing his “Big, Beautiful Bill”, urging Republicans in the House of Representatives to act quickly.
“Largest Tax Cuts in History and a Booming Economy vs. Biggest Tax Increase in History, and a Failed Economy,” Trump said on Truth Social. “What are the Republicans waiting for??? What are you trying to prove??? MAGA IS NOT HAPPY, AND IT’S COSTING YOU VOTES!!!”
Trump’s bill is back at the House for consideration after a drastically revised version was narrowly voted through the Senate on Tuesday.
Republicans in the upper chamber of Congress needed a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance to pass the massive tax and spending bill, which aims to increase funding for defense and border security at the expense of welfare programs while increasing the national debt.
The House only just passed an earlier draft of the bill in May, and its future in the lower chamber appears in doubt, given the seemingly solid opposition from conservative Republicans.
A crisis meeting took place at the White House on Wednesday aimed at convincing members of the House Freedom Caucus to get on board.
Trump set a loose deadline of July 4 to sign the bill but a White House official told The Independent: “This was not unexpected.”
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Key Points
- Donald Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' returns to House of Representatives
- Megabill narrowly passes Senate thanks to JD Vance tiebreaker
- Republicans and Democrats set the stage with competing narratives
- ‘It’s a s***show:’ Marjorie Taylor Greene signals Republican revolt
- What are the House Freedom Caucus's objections to Trump's spending plans?
What you need to know...
Wednesday 2 July 2025 17:38
,
Oliver O'Connell
- The President's "Big, Beautiful Bill" narrowly passed the Senate on Tuesday and now returns to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
- The Senate vote required a tie-breaking intervention from Vice President JD Vance after three Republican senators opposed the legislation, resulting in a 50-50 split.
- This extensive tax and spending bill is designed to boost defense and border security funding, but at the expense of welfare programs and with an increase to the national debt.
- The House of Representatives previously passed an earlier draft of the bill in May, and substantial opposition is expected as it faces another vote.
- The President has expressed a desire for the bill to be signed into law by July 4.
AOC blasts Trump’s bill as ‘a deal with the devil’ as she gives emotional floor speech trying to stop its passage
08:30
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez slammed President Donald Trump’s domestic megabill as a “deal with the devil” in an emotional speech on the House floor.
The House of Representatives returned to business on Wednesday to take up the Senate’s version of Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill.” In her speech, Ocasio-Cortez referred to one of Trump’s top campaign promises included in the legislation, no taxes on tips, as a “scam” as she referenced her own past work as a bartender.
“On this point of tax on tips, as one of the only people in this body who has lived off of tips, I want to tell you a little bit about the scam of that text, a little bit of the fine print there,” said Ocasio-Cortez, before going on to note that the provision has a limit of $25,000 per year. The legislation doesn’t include the tax break for those earning more than $150,000 a year.
The congresswoman argued that the bill would be “jacking up” taxes for lower-income Americans. The legislation extends tax cuts initially passed in 2017 during Trump’s first stint in the White House.
Read here:
Trump wants to use bill-signing as a photo-op for 4 July, Seth Magaziner says
08:00
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
With the fate of Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill still in limbo, Democrats used procedural tactics to voice their opposition and slow down its path to a final vote in the House.
Democratic Representative Seth Magaziner criticised Republicans for backing a harmful bill, accusing them of abandoning their principles to satisfy Trump’s desire for a symbolic 4 July signing moment.
He told The New York Times: “When we say the Republican Party has turned into a cult, this is what we mean. Our Republican colleagues are pushing a bill that would throw their constituents under the bus, a bill that flies in the face of everything they claim to stand for, all because Donald Trump wants a bill-signing photo-op by the Fourth of July.”
House split 217-207 against moving bill forward as vote rolls on
07:30
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
The House is currently voting on whether to advance Trump’s bill, and the count stands at 217 against and 207 in favour — with five Republicans opposing it.
Speaker Mike Johnson can only afford to lose three GOP votes, so he must convince some holdouts to switch.
Eight Republicans still haven’t voted, and members can change their vote until the session ends.
Trump says ‘MAGA not happy’ as Republicans delay vote on bill
07:00
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Donald Trump took to social media to express frustration over the delay in passing his "Big, Beautiful Bill", urging Republicans to act quickly.
“Largest Tax Cuts in History and a Booming Economy vs. Biggest Tax Increase in History, and a Failed Economy,” Trump said.
“What are the Republicans waiting for???”
“What are you trying to prove??? MAGA IS NOT HAPPY, AND IT’S COSTING YOU VOTES!!!”
Speaker Mike Johnson to keep open key vote on Trump's bill for 'as long as it takes'
06:30
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
House speaker Mike Johnson is keeping a key procedural vote on Donald Trump’s agenda bill open indefinitely as he and GOP leaders try to secure enough support.
Mr Johnson told Fox News he’s committed to answering members’ questions and ensuring full attendance.
“I’ll keep it open as long as it takes to make sure we’ve got everybody here and accounted for and all the questions answered,” he said. “I made that commitment to my members.”
Democrats rail against Medicaid cuts in Trump's bill
06:00
,
Rachel Dobkin
Several prominent Democrats have railed against Medicaid cuts included in President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill on X on Wednesday.
Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote: “You could be on Medicaid right now, and not even know it — that's because it's called something different in every state. So when House Republicans talk Medicaid cuts, they could be going after YOUR care. Call your representative today.”
You could be on Medicaid right now, and not even know it — that's because it's called something different in every state.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) July 2, 2025
So when House Republicans talk Medicaid cuts, they could be going after YOUR care.
Call your representative today. pic.twitter.com/2z79RBminm
Governor Josh Shapiro wrote: “As I have made clear, the bill Congressional Republicans are rushing to pass would have devastating impacts on Pennsylvania.
“To our members of Congress considering voting for this bill: if you do, you are doing so knowing the consequences it will have across Pennsylvania and in your districts. Pennsylvanians will lose Medicaid and food assistance through SNAP in your districts if this bill is passed.”
As I have made clear, the bill Congressional Republicans are rushing to pass would have devastating impacts on Pennsylvania.
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) July 2, 2025
To our members of Congress considering voting for this bill: if you do, you are doing so knowing the consequences it will have across Pennsylvania and in…
Former President Barack Obama wrote: “More than 16 million Americans are at risk of losing their health care because Republicans in Congress are rushing to pass a bill that would cut federal funding for Medicaid and weaken the Affordable Care Act.
“If the House passes this bill, it will increase costs and hurt working class families for generations to come. Call your representative today and tell them to vote no on this bill.”
More than 16 million Americans are at risk of losing their health care because Republicans in Congress are rushing to pass a bill that would cut federal funding for Medicaid and weaken the Affordable Care Act.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 2, 2025
If the House passes this bill, it will increase costs and hurt…
Charlie Kirk sends simple message to House Republicans
05:45
,
Rachel Dobkin
Charlie Kirk, founder of conservative group Turning Point USA, told House Republicans on X Wednesday night, “Pass the bill.”
Kirk was referring to President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” that extends his 2017 tax cuts while making cuts to Medicaid.
Dear House GOP,
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) July 3, 2025
Pass the bill.
— We the People
White House press secretary sends message to "no" votes on Trump's bill
05:30
,
Rachel Dobkin
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday night anyone who votes against President Donald Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill” is voting against no taxes on tips, overtime and social security.
Anyone who votes AGAINST the One Big Beautiful Bill is voting AGAINST:
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) July 3, 2025
No Tax on Tips
No Tax on Overtime
No Tax on Social Security
Thomas Massie of Kentucky votes 'no'
05:28
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky has voted “no” on a key vote to move forward president Trump’s agenda bill, while the vote is still ongoing.
Speaker Mike Johnson is keeping the vote open as long as needed, as GOP leaders try to change the minds of those voting against it.
So far, five Republicans have voted “no”, and eight more haven’t voted yet.
Rep. Derrick Van Orden gives expletive when reporter asks about House vote being left open
05:10
,
Rachel Dobkin
The Independent’s DC Bureau Chief Eric Garcia said he asked Representative Derrick Van Orden, a Wisconsin Republican, at the Capitol Wednesday night about the latest House procedural vote being left open to pass Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill “to please the president.”
Van Orden said in response, “What I make about it is that that is an incredibly skewed question,” and called it “bulls***.”
Mike Johnson said 'no' votes are 'open for conversation'
04:50
,
Rachel Dobkin
House Speaker Mike Johnson said the Republicans who have voted against a measure that would advance President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” are “open for conversation.”
Speaking to Fox News’ Sean Hannity Wednesday night, Johnson said he’s spoken to three of the then-four “no” votes and “I think they’re open for conversation.”
“Everybody’s here in good faith...everybody wants to deliver this agenda to the people,” he said.
Victoria Spartz of Indiana, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Andrew Clyde of Georgia and Keith Self of Texas voted against the measure.
Thomas Massie of Kentucky was a “yes” vote but later changed his vote to “no.”
House Republican switches from 'yes' to 'no' vote
04:37
,
Rachel Dobkin
Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, switched from a “yes” to a “no” vote on a measure that would advance President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill.
Massie voted against the bill when it was first passed in the House in May.
Majority of Republican holdout's constituents are on Medicaid
04:30
,
Rachel Dobkin
A majority of Representative David Valadao’s constituents are on Medicaid.
The California Republican is a holdout for President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” that would extend tax cuts while making cuts to Medicaid.
“More than 60 percent of Valadao’s constituents in #CA22 are on Medicaid,” The Independent’s DC Bureau Chief Eric Garcia wrote on X.
More than 60 percent of Valadao’s constituents in #CA22 are on Medicaid https://t.co/AjTVaeRyZS
— Eric Michael Garcia (@EricMGarcia) July 3, 2025
Valadao said last Saturday: ““I support the reasonable provisions in H.R. 1 that protect Medicaid’s long-term viability and ensure the program continues to serve our most vulnerable, but I will not support a final bill that eliminates vital funding streams our hospitals rely on, including provider taxes and state directed payments, or any provisions that punish expansion states,” per The Hill.
Trump cheers on Republicans to pass his 'big, beautiful bill'
04:15
,
Rachel Dobkin
President Donald Trump cheered on House Republicans Wednesday night to “beat the Crooked Democrats.”
“The USA is on track to break every record on GROWTH. Go Republicans, beat the Crooked Democrats tonight! PRO-GROWTH Tax Cuts never fail. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Go Republicans, beat the Crooked Democrats tonight! pic.twitter.com/YDBlW5srrY
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 3, 2025
Rep. Ralph Norman defends the House Freedom Caucus blocking votes
04:00
,
Rachel Dobkin
The House Freedom Caucus often blocks measures that their own Republican Party pushes, but they eventually fold.
When asked about this, Representative Ralph Norman of South Carolina said on Capitol Hill: “No, we get the best we can get, and we go as far as we can go to get for the American people, what we need, that’s not bluffing.”
The House Freedom Caucus ripped into the Senate’s version of President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill, taking issue with how much it will raise the federal deficit.
House Republican defends holdouts: 'I don't think they're RINOS'
03:45
,
Rachel Dobkin
Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican, said of her colleagues who have yet to support President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill, “I don't think they're RINOS [Republican in name only].”
“I think there’s really good options on the table, and I'm always a huge proponent in knowing when to take a good deal,” she said at the Capitol.
Four Republicans vote against measure to push Trump's bill forward
03:31
,
Rachel Dobkin
Four Republicans have voted against a measure to push President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill forward.
Victoria Spartz of Indiana, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Andrew Clyde of Georgia and Keith Self of Texas were all “no” votes on the measure.
Trump rails against House Democrat: 'total loser'
03:20
,
Rachel Dobkin
President Donald Trump called Representative Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat, a “total loser” Wednesday night.
“Rep. Jamie Raskin, a third rate Democrat politician, has no idea what is in our fantastic Tax Cut Bill, nor would he understand it if he did,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“This DOPE has been consistently losing to me for YEARS, and I love watching his ugly face as he is forced to consistently concede DEFEAT TO TRUMP — And tonight should be another of those nights. Raskin is a bad politician, and a TOTAL LOSER!”
House Republican said he ate CNN 'for supper' after argument with host
03:15
,
Rachel Dobkin
An interview about President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” turned into an argument between Representative Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican, and CNN’s Brianna Keilar Wednesday night.
“If you want to do an editorial go ahead, you don’t need me on here,” Burchett said.
Keilar rebutted, “These are facts.”
The two were having a discussion about the Congressional Budget Office, which Burchett called “very partisan.”
The office estimated Trump’s tax and spending bill would add nearly $3.3 trillion to the federal deficit over the next nine years.
Burchett later shared a clip of the interview on X and wrote: “My wife had spaghetti for supper I had some @CNN.”
My wife had spaghetti for supper I had some @CNN pic.twitter.com/B12c0stgie
— Tim Burchett (@timburchett) July 3, 2025
House members laugh when speaker pro tempore says new vote will last five minutes
03:04
,
Rachel Dobkin
Speaker Pro Tempore Steve Womack reminded House members ahead of a new procedural vote, “This is a five-minute vote.”
Womack’s remarks were met with laughter after the last procedural vote took over seven hours.
Speaker Pro Tempore: The chair will remind everyone in the house, this is a five-minute vote
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 3, 2025
*laughter* pic.twitter.com/Qlp3x7u9vC
House votes on new measure
02:57
,
Rachel Dobkin
House members are now voting on a new measure, which, if passed, would allow President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill to come to the floor.
House passes procedural vote on Trump's 'big, beautiful bill'
02:36
,
Rachel Dobkin
The House has passed a procedural vote on President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.”
The vote of 220-212 along party lines means Republicans are one step closer to a final vote on Trump’s tax and spending bill.
House Democrat criticized ICE funding in Trump's bill
02:25
,
Rachel Dobkin
Representative Nanette Barragán, a California Democrat, criticized the billions in funding immigration agents will get if President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill were to be passed.
“We will see what you saw happening in Los Angeles on steroids if there’s such a huge infusion of money,” Barragán told MSNBC’s Chris Hayes Wednesday night, adding, “What a waste of money.”
Last month, mass protests erupted in Los Angeles against ICE raids in the city. Trump sent in the National Guard in response.
Hayes: I saw something today about how it would make ICE one of the largest militaries in the entire world, a budget larger than the entire Brazilian military…
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 3, 2025
Barragan: It would be more money than the federal prison system gets right now in the United States. And as you… pic.twitter.com/TotETxsair
House finishes voting on procedural hurdle
02:05
,
Rachel Dobkin
It took over six hours, but every House members has voted on a procedural vote as Congress pushes through hurdles to pass President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill.
The vote has not officially closed yet, but if it holds, the House will move onto a vote to begin debate on the “big, beautiful bill.”
CNN host pushes back on Rep. Burchett's claims the Congressional Budget Office is ' very partisan'
01:50
,
Rachel Dobkin
Representative Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican, called the Congressional Budget Office “very partisan” during an interview with CNN’s Brianna Keilar Wednesday night.
The office estimated President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill would add nearly $3.3 trillion to the federal deficit over the next nine years.
Keilar pushed back on Burchett’s claim, saying, “So in January 2024, there was a Republican who trusted the CBO so much that they reintroduced a resolution to require the house clerk to read the CBO estimate of any bill. I believe that was you, sir.”
Keilar: You’re taking issue with the CBO estimate?
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 3, 2025
Burchett: The office is very partisan…
Keilar: So in January 2024, there was a Republican who trusted the CBO so much that they reintroduced a resolution to require the house clerk to read the CBO estimate of any bill. I… pic.twitter.com/xHV6TPDrgU
ICYMI: Majority of New Yorkers worry Trump policies will harm US in long run, poll shows
01:30
,
Rachel Dobkin
Gustaf Kilander writes:
A majority of voters in New York state believe that the policies and initiatives pushed by President Donald Trump at home and abroad will not make America great, according to a poll conducted by Siena College of 800 voters in the state.
While New York City is heavily Democratic, much of upstate New York is Republican. Former Vice President Kamala Harris won the 2024 election in the Empire State 56 to 43 percent, with Trump receiving more than three and a half million votes in the state.
New York voters said by a margin of 54 to 33 percent that Trump’s policies are not moving the country in the right direction.
The same poll found that New York voters believe, by a 52 to 28 percent margin, that Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” will make life worse for a majority of Americans.
Sixty-one percent supported removing income taxes on tips, while 21 percent opposed the measure. New York voters also support requiring healthy adult Medicaid recipients to work to get benefits by a margin of 48 to 32 percent. They are strongly opposed to cutting corporate taxes and cutting SNAP benefits for the poor.
Read more...
House procedural vote passes 6-hour mark
01:10
,
Rachel Dobkin
A House procedural vote has been open for over six hours Wednesday.
The vote is the next hurdle the House has to get over to eventually pass President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill.
Republican holdout says he's 'firmly undecided' on Trump's spending bill
Thursday 3 July 2025 00:55
,
Rachel Dobkin
Representative Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican, told CNN Wednesday night, “I’m firmly undecided” on whether he will vote for President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill.
Burchett, along with several other holdouts, met with Trump earlier Wednesday.
AOC blasts Trump’s bill as ‘a deal with the devil’
Thursday 3 July 2025 00:40
,
Rachel Dobkin
Gustaf Kilander writes:
New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez slammed President Donald Trump’s domestic megabill as a “deal with the devil” in an emotional speech on the House floor.
The House of Representatives returned to business on Wednesday to take up the Senate’s version of Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill.” In her speech, Ocasio-Cortez referred to one of Trump’s top campaign promises included in the legislation, no taxes on tips, as a “scam” as she referenced her own past work as a bartender.
“On this point of tax on tips, as one of the only people in this body who has lived off of tips, I want to tell you a little bit about the scam of that text, a little bit of the fine print there,” said Ocasio-Cortez, before going on to note that the provision has a limit of $25,000 per year. The legislation doesn’t include the tax break for those earning more than $150,000 a year.
The congresswoman argued that the bill would be “jacking up” taxes for lower-income Americans. The legislation extends tax cuts initially passed in 2017 during Trump’s first stint in the White House.
Read more...
House Freedom Caucus member shows support for Trump's spending bill
Thursday 3 July 2025 00:25
,
Rachel Dobkin
Representative Byron Donalds, a Florida Republican and member of the House Freedom Caucus, voiced his support for President Donald Trump’s spending bill.
“In November, the American people demanded this change and they deserve a government that will PUT THEM FIRST,” Donalds wrote on X. “We must get President Trump’s America First Agenda across the finish line.”
1. Pass the One Big Beautiful Bill
— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) July 2, 2025
2. Implement @POTUS’s Agenda
3. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN
In November, the American people demanded this change and they deserve a government that will PUT THEM FIRST.
We must get President Trump’s America First Agenda across the finish line. https://t.co/Zav0zkTLIh
Trump boasts about record-low border crossings
Thursday 3 July 2025 00:10
,
Rachel Dobkin
President Donald Trump has boasted about record-low border crossings as the House works to pass his “big, beautiful bill,” which includes billions in funding for border security.
Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday, “The U.S. Border Patrol reported ZERO releases of Illegal Aliens into the Country.”
“America’s Borders are Safe and Secure, and the entire World knows it. All we need to do is keep it this way, which is exactly why Republicans need to pass “THE ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL,” he added.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 2, 2025
Republican who initially opposed Trump's spending bill is expected to approve it
Wednesday 2 July 2025 23:55
,
Rachel Dobkin
Representative Warren Davidson of Ohio voted against President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” when it first passed in the House.
Now, he is reportedly supporting the Senate’s version of the bill House Republicans are attempting to pass.
“I wanted to give us a chance to get a better product,” he said, per The New York Times. “We’ve seen that time, and it hasn’t been used as well as I wish it would have been.”
Davidson feels nothing can be done to improve the Senate’s bill before America reaches its debt limit.
Thomas Massie says his fellow Republicans are 'afraid of Trump'
Wednesday 2 July 2025 23:45
,
Rachel Dobkin
Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who voted against the president’s “big, beautiful bill” the first time it was passed by the House, said his GOP colleagues are “afraid of Trump.”
“They’re just afraid of Trump and the backlash that would ensue if he called them out,” Massie told NBC News.
Massie says he’s “not concerned” about the president taking action against him politically, saying, "I have raised $400,000 from 4,500 donors in the last 10 days for taking this principled stand.”
White House calls Texas Democrat's ICE funding claim 'false'
Wednesday 2 July 2025 23:35
,
Rachel Dobkin
Representative Joaquin Castro, a Texas Democrat and Congressional Hispanic Caucus member, claimed that President Donald Trump’s spending bill includes funding for immigration agents to "try to strip people of their citizenship."
The White House’s official rapid response X account called Castro’s claims “false.”
“It dedicates funding for ICE to arrest illegals—including violent public safety threats—as they fulfill @POTUS' mass deportation agenda,” the White House added.
Rep. @JoaquinCastrotx says the Big Beautiful Bill includes funding for ICE to "try to strip people of their citizenship."
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 2, 2025
False.
It dedicates funding for ICE to arrest illegals—including violent public safety threats—as they fulfill @POTUS' mass deportation agenda. pic.twitter.com/nrnVqAiW2M
