Trump Scores Major Legislative Win as House Passes Sweeping Tax and Security Package 215-214
WASHINGTON, D.C. — MAY 23, 2025 – In a dramatic, chaotic, and razor-thin vote, the House of Representatives passed President Donald Trump’s landmark economic and national security bill by just one vote, surviving GOP defections, a missed vote due to a nap, and frantic 11th-hour deal-making.
The final tally: 215-214.
All Democrats voted no, joined by two Republican defectors, Reps. Thomas Massie (KY) and Warren Davidson (OH). The bill would have gained two more Republican yes votes—Rep. David Schweikert (AZ) arrived seconds too late, and Rep. Andrew Garbarino (NY) fell asleep and missed the vote entirely.
“He fell asleep in the back, no kidding,” House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters.
“I’m going to just strangle him,” Johnson joked. “But he’s my dear friend.”
Despite the close call, the passage marks a massive legislative victory for Trump, who has hailed the package as a “Big, Beautiful Win” for working Americans.
What’s In the Bill?
The 1,000+ page package is one of the most ambitious pieces of legislation in Trump’s second term and includes:
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Extension of the 2017 Trump tax cuts
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Elimination of federal taxes on tips and overtime pay
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New deductions for middle-class families and small businesses
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Massive funding increase for national defense, including a continental missile defense system
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Expanded funding for border security and immigration enforcement
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Medicaid work requirements set to start in 2026, after a conservative-led amendment moved the start date forward from 2029
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Rollback of clean energy tax credits
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A significantly expanded State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction, raising the cap to $40,000, with a phaseout beginning at $500,000 income and automatic annual increases through 2033
The Political Horse-Trading That Saved the Bill
Passage was far from guaranteed. The bill emerged from a 21-hour House Rules Committee hearing that began after 1 a.m. and dragged on for nearly a full day. With conservatives demanding faster entitlement reform and moderates insisting on more SALT relief, the Trump team and GOP leadership raced to rewrite major sections just hours before the final vote.
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Freedom Caucus holdouts were won over after advancing the Medicaid work requirement start date to 2026
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Moderate Republicans, especially from high-tax states like New York and California, secured the SALT expansion they demanded
Both factions claimed victory, but it was Trump who came out on top—again.
What’s Next?
The bill now heads to the Senate, where it faces a narrower GOP majority and an emboldened Democrat opposition. However, with Trump riding high on a wave of post-tariff economic momentum and strong polling, Senate passage is likely, albeit with further modifications.
This latest legislative drama shows that Trump still knows how to build coalitions, break logjams, and even survive a nap-related mishap—all in pursuit of his America First agenda.
One vote. One win. One very Big, Beautiful Bill.