President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill squeaked through a key House vote on Thursday, with two Republicans crossing party lines to vote against it. The close roll call, 218-214, was a day before the Fourth of July deadline. In the morning, Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York stalled voting by taking the floor for over eight hours with a record-breaking speech opposing the bill.
“We have a big job to finish,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson. “With one big beautiful bill we are going to make this country stronger, safer and more prosperous than ever before.”
Two Republicans Break Ranks on Final House Vote
Rep Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who had voted against the initial bill in May, defied his party and voted ‘no’ on Thursday. Rep Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania also crossed the aisle to join the Democrats and vote against Trump’s tax and spending bill.
At the same time, Democrats were united in opposition to the bill. Jeffries started speaking at 4:53 AM EDT and concluded at 1:37 PM EDT, 8 hours, 44 minutes later, a record, as he spoke out against what he referred to as Trump’s “big ugly bill.”
Jeffries: “It’s a Crime Scene”
“We’re better than this,” Jeffries said, who used a leader’s prerogative for unlimited debate and read letter after letter from Americans writing about their reliance of the health care programs.
We’re better than this,” Jeffries said, who employed a leader’s privilege of having unlimited debate and read letter after letter from Americans writing about their dependence of the health care programs.
“I never thought that I’d be on the House floor saying that this is a crime scene,” Jeffries said.
“It’s a crime scene, going after the health, and the safety, and the well-being of the American people.”
And as Democrats, he said, “We want no part of it.”
Senate Passed Bill Earlier with VP’s Tie-Breaking Vote
The Senate voted the package days ago with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. The thin majority in the House left Republicans with little margin for defection.