On Wednesday, July 2nd, Republican leaders in the House of Representatives are working hard to pass President Trump’s comprehensive tax cut and spending bill, also known as the “Big and Beautiful Act.” Speaker Johnson stated that there has been “very positive” progress in advancing the bill’s passage. However, Johnson acknowledged that not all Republican members of the House will be satisfied with the final package.
The House conducted a crucial procedural vote earlier on Wednesday afternoon, with the final vote on the “Big and Beautiful Act” expected to take place later in the day. If Johnson fails to secure enough votes to ensure the bill’s passage, the voting schedule may be delayed.
Johnson noted that when legislation is as comprehensive and involves so many agenda items, people will have various priorities and preferences as they represent different regions with different interests.
“We can’t make everyone 100% satisfied, that’s impossible,” he said. “This is a deliberative body, it’s a legislative process. By definition, all of us need to set aside personal preferences. I will never ask anyone to compromise on core principles, but for the greater good, personal preferences must be set aside, and I believe they are realizing and accepting that.”
Johnson also mentioned that he and President Trump have been in discussions with conservative hardliners and Republican lawmakers from battleground states about their concerns.
“We’ve had some fantastic conversations. I’ve been meeting with individuals and groups all day, and the President as well, fully engaged, trying to make everyone believe this is the best product we can put out,” he said. “There’s more conversations to be had.”
The “Big and Beautiful Act” covers most of Trump’s domestic priorities, from tax cuts to immigration enforcement. He is urging Congress to pass the bill before the July 4th Independence Day holiday so he can sign it into law. Johnson has pledged to accomplish this task before the deadline.
The Senate passed this bill with a slim majority on Tuesday and sent it to the House for a vote. After nearly 12 hours of meetings, the House Rules Committee passed a procedural rule early Wednesday, clearing a hurdle for the vote on the “Big and Beautiful Act.” Next, the House will vote on the rule, another obstacle that must be overcome before the final vote on the bill in the House.