Marathon Debate Grips House as Jeffries Stalls Vote on Trump’s $4.5 Trillion Bill Ahead of Independence Day
Marathon Debate Grips House as Jeffries Stalls Vote on Trump’s $4.5 Trillion Bill Ahead of Independence Day
The U.S. House of Representatives remains locked in a high-stakes debate over President Trump’s colossal $4.5 trillion tax and spending package, with Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries leading a marathon filibuster that has stretched for over seven hours. As the Independence Day holiday approaches, the administration is pushing aggressively for the bill’s passage by Friday, July 4th, setting the stage for a dramatic legislative showdown.
Jeffries, leveraging his “magic minute” privilege allowing leaders unlimited speaking time, has held the floor since the early hours of Thursday morning (July 3rd), passionately railing against the 887-page “big ugly” bill. Democrats are united in opposition, warning that the legislation would decimate social safety net programs, slash funding for critical scientific research, and supercharge mass deportations, while disproportionately benefiting the wealthy through extended tax cuts.
Despite earlier procedural votes suggesting Republican unity, Jeffries’ relentless speech has delayed the final vote. The White House, however, remains confident, with plans for a signing ceremony reportedly being prepared for Friday evening, contingent on the bill clearing the House.
The extensive package includes significant funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and drastic cuts to agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Jeffries has highlighted personal stories of Americans who would be harmed, describing the bill as a “crime scene” and an “abomination.”
In other significant developments unfolding concurrently, the U.S. Supreme Court announced Thursday it will hear arguments next term regarding state laws banning transgender athletes from female sports teams. Additionally, President Trump confirmed a call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Thursday, following concerns over U.S. weapon stockpiles for Ukraine.
Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.