House Passes Trump-Backed Spending Bill 215-214 Amid GOP Absences

The House narrowly passed the "one big, beautiful bill," a sweeping tax and spending package championed by President Donald Trump, with a final vote of 215-214. Despite broad Republican support, five House Republicans did not vote in favor: two voted against the bill citing concerns about deficits and lack of immediate spending cuts, one voted present to advance the process, and two—Reps. Andrew Garbarino and David Schweikert—did not vote due to inadvertent absences, including Garbarino reportedly falling asleep during the vote. The bill increases military and border enforcement funding while cutting programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP, drawing sharp criticism from Democrats who warn of harmful impacts on vulnerable populations. Speaker Mike Johnson defended the bill as historic and beneficial for hardworking Americans, while Democrats accused Republicans of pushing the legislation through "under the cover of darkness." The close vote underscores divisions within the GOP and ongoing debates over fiscal responsibility and social program funding.