House GOP advances Trump megabill after overcoming internal opposition

The U.S. House of Representatives, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, overcame significant internal opposition to begin final debate on President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill," a legislative package central to his second-term agenda. After an extended procedural vote and overnight negotiations, the House voted 219-213 to advance the bill, which extends the 2017 tax cuts, increases border security funding, and includes cuts to health insurance and nutrition programs for low-income Americans. The Senate had earlier passed a revised version with deeper Medicaid cuts and a higher $5 trillion debt limit increase, causing concern among some House Republicans about increased deficit spending. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill will raise the deficit by $3.4 trillion over the next decade and could result in nearly 12 million more uninsured Americans by 2034, threatening healthcare access and financial stability for hospitals and community health centers. Despite resistance from hardline conservatives and the House Freedom Caucus, Trump and GOP leadership pushed to meet a self-imposed July 4 deadline, with the bill expected to be signed into law by President Trump soon. The legislative battle highlights the ideological divisions within the Republican Party over balancing spending cuts, debt increases, and policy priorities.