House passes Trump’s “big and beautiful bill”
President Donald Trump’s significant legislative agenda seemed, at times, under threat as some House Republicans appeared tentative. Yet, in a surprising turn, only two GOP members opposed the bill, which is now on its way to Trump’s desk.
Representatives Thomas Massey of Kentucky and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania were the only ones voting against this high-profile measure. House Speaker Mike Johnson could afford to lose only a couple of votes, especially since there were no Democrats willing to support the $3.3 trillion proposal.
In the end, Congress moved forward, sending Trump’s ambitious bill to him for approval.
Massey engaged in procedural votes initially but was inclined to oppose the bill, voicing concerns that extensive tax, border control, defense, and energy initiatives only ballooned the national debt without addressing the core issues of government spending.
Interestingly, many Republicans faced pressure from party leaders throughout the voting process. Despite this, objections continued until the early afternoon on Thursday.
Massey remarked about how the president was actively reaching out to his constituents, using social media ads featuring his image, which didn’t sit well with him.
Trump, in a late-night appeal, called on Republicans to solidify their support, expressing that “Maga is not happy, it depends on the vote!!” He threatened a major challenger against Massey due to his opposition, drawing parallels to Senator Tom Tillis before his retirement announcement.
Nevertheless, a senior official from the White House later indicated that Trump hadn’t directly threatened primary challenges but acknowledged the lawmakers’ understanding of the president’s influence, hoping it could ultimately benefit their positions.
Concerns arose about a potential backlash from conservative factions within the party. Representing these divided opinions, Fitzpatrick had voiced worries regarding alterations made to Medicaid in the legislation, although he hadn’t expressed them publicly before the procedural vote.
As the final tally approached, Fitzpatrick cast a “no” vote on the procedural rules, a decision that seemed to resonate with his reservations about the GOP’s changes. He stated that while he initially supported enhancements to Medicaid, the Senate modifications had altered the bill significantly.
He explained, “The original text was crafted to safeguard our community, but the Senate’s adjustments missed the mark.” His perspective seemed rooted in a desire for effective policies, which he deemed essential for his legislative choices.
