“Big Bad Tax Bill” Squeaks Through House by Single Vote in Late-Night Drama

US House Passes Big Bad Tax Bill, Next Up; The Senate

Washington, D.C. — After a grueling overnight session filled with backroom bargaining and last-minute concessions, the U.S. House of Representatives passed President Trump’s massive tax and spending package—nicknamed the “Big Bad Tax Bill”—by a razor-thin 215–214 vote early Thursday morning.

The bill, officially titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, is a sweeping package that cements the Trump administration’s economic vision: lower taxes, stricter welfare rules, and a significant pivot away from clean energy investment. The passage marks a major legislative victory for Trump in his second term and sets up a contentious battle in the Senate.

What’s In the Bill?

• Tax Cuts Expanded: The bill locks in the Trump-era tax breaks from 2017 and expands them. Overtime pay and tips would become tax-exempt, and deductions for families and child tax credits are temporarily increased.
• Social Safety Net Tightened: Work requirements for food stamps and Medicaid are made tougher, and funding for Planned Parenthood is slashed. Critics warn this could leave millions without coverage or assistance.
• Big Spending on Border and Defense: The legislation pours $46 billion into border security, including new ICE and Border Patrol hires, and nearly $150 billion for military buildup, including missile defense and naval expansion.
• Clean Energy Takes a Hit: The bill unwinds key parts of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, gutting subsidies for wind, solar, EVs, and nuclear energy. Environmental experts estimate over 800,000 clean energy jobs could vanish by 2030, with emissions projected to surge.

The Politics Behind the Vote

Republicans spent days whipping votes, and in the end, only two GOP members defected over concerns about the ballooning deficit. Democrats stood firmly against the bill, calling it a handout to the wealthy and a blow to working families and climate efforts.

“This bill is a disaster for the middle class, for the environment, and for basic human decency,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Trump, meanwhile, hailed the vote as a signature achievement. “This is what winning looks like,” he said in a statement shortly after the vote. “The American people wanted tax cuts, strong borders, and energy dominance—and that’s what we delivered.”

What’s Next?

The bill now heads to the Senate, where its future is uncertain. Moderate Republicans have voiced concerns about the environmental and healthcare impacts, and Democrats are preparing to fight it tooth and nail.

For now, the “Big Bad Tax Bill” has cleared its first major hurdle—and the real showdown is just beginning.