President Donald Trump’s sweeping legislative package, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a razor-thin 215-214 vote on May 22, 2025, marking a significant victory for his second-term agenda. The over 1,000-page bill, which combines massive tax cuts, spending increases for border security and defense, and controversial cuts to safety net programs, now heads to the Senate, where it faces intense debate and likely revisions. Drawing from CNN’s detailed coverage, Nuzpost breaks down the bill’s key provisions, the challenges ahead, and its potential impact on American families and businesses.
A Hard-Fought House Victory
The bill’s passage in the House, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, came after weeks of contentious negotiations within the Republican conference. Facing internal divisions, GOP leaders made last-minute concessions to secure votes, including raising the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000 for households earning up to $500,000, a key demand from blue-state Republicans like New York’s Elise Stefanik. The vote saw only two Republicans—Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Warren Davidson of Ohio—join all Democrats in opposition, with Andy Harris of Maryland voting “present.” Two others, Andrew Garbarino and David Schweikert, missed the vote but expressed support.
Trump hailed the victory, calling the bill “arguably the most significant piece of legislation that will ever be signed” and urging the Senate to act swiftly, according to CNN. House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith claimed the bill could deliver $13,300 in take-home pay for families and $11,600 in wage increases for workers, citing a Council of Economic Advisers report. However, Democrats, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, slammed it as a “reckless, regressive, and reprehensible GOP tax scam,” warning of its impact on social programs.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is a sprawling package that addresses Trump’s core campaign promises. According to CNN and other sources, its main components include:
Tax Cuts and Extensions: The bill permanently extends the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, preventing a 22% tax hike for the average taxpayer. It adds temporary tax breaks through 2028, including no taxes on tips, overtime pay, and interest on U.S.-made car loans, fulfilling Trump’s 2024 campaign pledges. It also boosts the child tax credit to $2,500 until 2028 and introduces a $4,000 standard deduction for seniors, phasing out for higher earners. A new $1,000 “Trump account” savings program for children born between 2024 and 2028 aims to support education, job training, or first-home purchases.
SALT Deduction Increase: The SALT cap, set at $10,000 in 2017, rises to $40,000 for incomes up to $500,000, with a 1% annual increase over 10 years, benefiting high-tax states like New York and California.
Business Incentives: Small businesses gain a permanent 23% deduction on qualified income, alongside 100% expensing for equipment, R&D, and new factories, projected to create over 1 million jobs annually.
Border Security and Immigration: The bill allocates $46.5 billion for Trump’s border wall, $14 billion for deportation operations, and $5 billion for Customs and Border Protection, including 10,000 new agents by 2029. It introduces fees like $1,000 for asylum applications and $3,500 for sponsoring unaccompanied children.
Spending Cuts: The package slashes $700 billion from Medicaid over 10 years, with work requirements for able-bodied adults starting in 2026, potentially removing 5.2 million people from coverage, per the Urban Institute. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) faces $267 billion in cuts, with states covering 5% of benefits by 2028 and stricter work requirements for adults up to age 64.
Energy and Infrastructure: The bill invests $12.5 billion in modernizing FAA air traffic systems and repeals Biden-era methane taxes, easing oil and gas regulations to boost energy production.
Senate Challenges Ahead
The bill now faces a tougher road in the Senate, where Republicans hold a slim 53-47 majority. Under budget reconciliation rules, it requires only a simple majority to pass, bypassing a Democratic filibuster. However, Senate Republicans like Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Josh Hawley of Missouri have voiced concerns, particularly over Medicaid cuts. Hawley, in a New York Times op-ed, called them “morally wrong and politically suicidal,” citing harm to low-income constituents. Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated the Senate will “leave its own mark,” with debates expected to focus on Medicaid, green energy tax credit repeals, and temporary tax provisions.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the bill’s tax cuts will add $3.8 trillion to the federal deficit, triggering a 2011 law mandating $500 billion in Medicare cuts unless amended, a politically risky prospect for Republicans. Democrats plan to exploit these cuts in the 2026 midterms, with Jeffries warning that the vote could cost Republicans their House majority.
Broader Implications
The bill’s passage reflects Trump’s aggressive push to cement his “America First” agenda, from tax relief to border security. Supporters, including the American Farm Bureau and Airlines for America, praise its pro-growth policies and infrastructure investments. However, critics like the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities warn that SNAP cuts could affect 11 million people, disproportionately harming vulnerable groups. The bill’s judicial provision, limiting federal courts’ ability to enforce contempt citations, also raises concerns about undermining legal oversight, per The Guardian.
As the Senate debates revisions, potentially delaying action until June, the bill’s fate hinges on GOP unity. Any changes will require another House vote, risking further fractures among hardline conservatives and moderates. Trump’s July 4 deadline for signing the bill adds pressure to an already contentious process.
Nuzpost will continue to track the “One Big Beautiful Bill” as it navigates the Senate and its impact on American taxpayers.
