The halls of Capitol Hill were buzzing with tension and late-night deals as President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” clawed its way through a key House committee, setting the stage for a high-stakes floor vote that could reshape taxes, immigration, and more.

For Republicans, it’s a test of unity and resolve, a chance to deliver on Trump’s bold campaign promises.

But with conservatives demanding deeper cuts and Democrats crying foul over midnight maneuvers, the fight over this sprawling legislation has put faith in leadership—both Trump’s and House Speaker Mike Johnson’s—under a searing spotlight.

The bill, officially dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” cleared the House Rules Committee in the early hours of Wednesday, May 21, 2025, after a marathon session that started at 1 a.m.

It’s a beast of a package, blending permanent extensions of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts with new breaks on tips, overtime pay, and auto loan interest, plus funding for border security, 10,000 ICE officers, and a debt ceiling hike.

“It’s the biggest bill ever passed, and we’ve got to get it done,” Trump declared, rallying Republicans on Capitol Hill.

He wasn’t subtle, warning holdouts they’d be “knocked out so fast” if they didn’t fall in line.

Getting this far wasn’t easy. Just days earlier, four House Freedom Caucus members—Reps. Chip Roy, Josh Brecheen, Andrew Clyde, and Ralph Norman—tanked the bill in the Budget Committee, joining Democrats to block it over fears it didn’t cut enough from Medicaid or green energy subsidies.

“This bill falls profoundly short,” Roy said, slamming its impact on deficits. They switched to “present” votes in a rare Sunday night do-over, letting it squeak through 17-16 after intense negotiations with Johnson and White House officials.

“We’ve got a lot more work to do,” Norman told reporters, hinting at lingering doubts.

Johnson, juggling a razor-thin GOP majority, has been walking a tightrope. “I think what is about to happen here is that every member, every Republican member, will give a vote that allows us to proceed forward, and we count that as a big win tonight,” he said before the Budget Committee vote, exuding confidence despite the chaos.

He’s faced pressure from all sides: conservatives like Roy want Medicaid work requirements to kick in sooner than 2029, while moderates from high-tax states like New York pushed for bigger state and local tax (SALT) deductions.

“SALT is a pay-for,” Rep. Mike Lawler insisted, arguing that capping deductions saves money compared to letting Trump’s tax cuts expire.

Democrats, meanwhile, have been relentless, blasting the GOP for rushing a bill they call a giveaway to the wealthy.

“If you guys think this ugly bill is so damn beautiful, like Trump keeps saying, you should have the courage to debate it in primetime,” Rep. Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the Rules Committee, shot back during the overnight session.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries piled on, accusing Republicans of “trying to take health care away from millions of Americans at this very moment in the dead of night.” They’ve dubbed it “one big, beautiful betrayal,” with Rep. Pramila Jayapal arguing it shafts working families.

The bill’s price tag is no small matter. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget pegs it at $3.3 trillion in added debt over a decade, a figure that’s fueled conservative angst.

“We are writing checks we cannot cash, and our children are going to pay the price,” Roy warned. Yet Trump’s team is adamant it’s a winner.

“It is absolutely essential that Republicans unite behind the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ and deliver on President Trump’s agenda,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, brushing off deficit concerns by claiming the bill doesn’t add to it.

With the House vote looming—possibly Wednesday night or Thursday morning, per House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s prediction—the GOP’s unity is on the line.

“We’ve got to keep the bill moving,” Scalise said, eyeing the Senate’s turn next. Johnson’s banking on a deal, with a last-minute “manager’s amendment” unveiled after 18 hours of Rules Committee wrangling to tweak Medicaid and SALT provisions.

“We are getting very close to a bill that is going to be able to garner the votes necessary for passage,” Rep. Dusty Johnson told reporters, sounding cautiously optimistic.

For Republicans, this is about more than policy—it’s about proving they can deliver on Trump’s vision, keeping faith with voters who gave them the reins. But with conservatives still grumbling and Democrats ready to pounce, the road to the Senate and Trump’s desk is anything but smooth.

As one GOP lawmaker put it, “He kept the entire conference out on the floor for 80 minutes while you play grabass with these people,” venting frustration at the process. The clock’s ticking, and the nation’s watching.

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