U.S. President Donald Trump has signed the controversial ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ into law, marking a significant moment in his presidency. The signing took place at the White House on Friday afternoon, following a narrow passage through the House of Representatives.
The bill, which includes substantial tax cuts and increased funding for military and border security, was passed by a slim margin of 218 to 214 votes. Every Democrat and two Republicans opposed the legislation due to its sweeping cuts to healthcare and food assistance programs for low-income Americans.
During the signing ceremony, President Trump praised Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson for their efforts in uniting the party. He remarked, “Those two are a team that is not going to be beat.”
Key Provisions of the Bill
Tax Cuts: The legislation enacts $4 trillion in tax reductions over the next decade, featuring exemptions on overtime pay and tips, and raising thresholds for estate and gift taxes. While Trump promotes these measures as catalysts for economic growth, critics argue they primarily benefit the wealthy.
Spending Cuts: The bill slashes nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid, imposing stricter eligibility requirements. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that up to 12 million Americans could lose healthcare coverage within ten years. Additionally, the bill tightens qualifications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), potentially affecting over 40 million low-income individuals and reducing funding by $230 billion over a decade.
Debt Ceiling Increase: Savings from spending cuts are redirected to bolster military and border security funding. The bill also raises the federal debt ceiling by an additional $5 trillion.
Public Reaction and Implications
The legislation has faced significant public opposition. A recent Pew Research Center poll indicates that 49% of Americans oppose the bill, with concerns about increasing the national deficit and adversely impacting lower-income individuals. Only 29% support the legislation.
Democrats hope to leverage public dissent in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, highlighting the bill’s substantial redistribution of wealth from the poorest to the richest Americans.
The White House, however, celebrates the bill as a fulfillment of Trump’s campaign promises. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described it as “an encapsulation of all of the policies that the president campaigned on and the American people voted on,” calling it “a victorious day for the American people.”
The long-term impacts of the law remain to be seen, but it is expected to add $3.4 trillion to the national debt over ten years, potentially leading to closures of rural hospitals and loss of insurance coverage for millions.
