By Emeka Blast 
US House Republicans Drop Resistance, Move Trump’s Agenda Forward
A group of Republican lawmakers who had earlier vowed to block former President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill have now reversed their stance. On Thursday, they joined other GOP members to approve a key procedural vote, clearing the way for the legislation—nicknamed the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—to advance to a full vote in the House of Representatives.
The bill includes major extensions to Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, increased funding for immigration enforcement and the military, and cuts to programs like Medicaid, food stamps, and green energy. Although some members of the far-right and moderate wings of the party had initially opposed parts of the package, last-minute negotiations and pressure from Trump himself persuaded many of them to support it.
The procedural vote passed narrowly, 219–213, with only one Republican, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, voting against it. A final vote on the bill is expected later today, but the margin for passage remains slim, as only three Republican defections can be afforded.
Analysts warn the bill could add trillions to the national debt over the next decade and result in millions losing health coverage. But GOP leaders, aiming to score a major legislative victory ahead of the July 4 holiday, are pushing hard for its final approval.
