Wed Feb 26 02:54:34 UTC 2025: ## House Republicans Pass Trump’s $4.5 Trillion Tax Cut Budget Blueprint Amidst Opposition and Internal Divisions
**Washington, D.C. – February 26, 2025** – House Republicans narrowly passed a budget blueprint Tuesday, advancing President Donald Trump’s ambitious plan for $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and $2 trillion in spending reductions. The 217-215 vote saw only one Republican defecting, highlighting the deep divisions within the GOP and fierce opposition from Democrats.
The plan, touted by Trump as his “big, beautiful bill,” faces a long and arduous path to becoming law. It must now navigate weeks of committee hearings and Senate approval, where a scaled-back version has already passed. Further complicating matters are upcoming negotiations to prevent a government shutdown on March 14.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, facing a razor-thin majority, battled to secure enough votes, resorting to personal appeals from President Trump, who called wayward lawmakers and hosted White House meetings with Republican representatives. Concerns among some Republicans about the impact of deep spending cuts, particularly to programs like Medicaid and food stamps, added to the challenges.
Democrats vehemently opposed the budget, labeling it a “betrayal” of the American people and a path to national decline. They highlighted the potential harm to vulnerable populations from cuts to healthcare and social programs. However, as the minority party, their opposition couldn’t prevent the bill’s passage.
Adding to the political turmoil, the controversy surrounding billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – which has fired thousands of federal workers – is fueling public anger and adding pressure on lawmakers.
While GOP leaders assured that Medicaid is not specifically targeted in the initial framework, representatives like Mike Lawler highlighted assurances from President Trump that the program would be protected. However, fiscal conservatives voiced concerns about adding to the national debt, which currently stands at $36 trillion. The tax cuts are projected to outweigh the spending cuts by at least $2.5 trillion over a decade.
The Senate is considering a separate, smaller $340 billion package, focusing primarily on border security and leaving tax cuts for later consideration. The final outcome will depend on the negotiations between the House and Senate Republicans, with President Trump seemingly enjoying the ensuing competition. The House Budget Committee chairman, Jodey Arrington, however, maintains that the plan, based on optimistic economic projections, would generate significant savings over 10 years. This claim is disputed by some fiscal advocacy groups. The future of the bill, and the nation’s budget, remains uncertain.
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