The Republicans in the US House of Representatives have narrowly passed a sprawling government spending bill, providing a significant boost for President Donald Trump as it propels forward his 2025 agenda.
The 217-215 vote served as a crucial early examination for Republican House speaker Mike Johnson, who had previously called off a vote on the bill due to insufficient support.
A number of Republicans advocated for greater fiscal responsibility within a budget that encompasses $4.5 trillion in tax reductions, supported in part by spending cuts but also by potentially escalating the substantial debt burden of the US government.
Ultimately, the bill was approved along party lines, with all Democrats voting in opposition and only one Republican, Thomas Massey of Kentucky, dissenting.
Nevertheless, there remain various procedural stages that the spending plan must navigate to become law.
The budget will need to undergo consolidation with a distinct budget currently under deliberation by the US Senate, in a process known as reconciliation.
Even if both chambers reach an agreement on a spending plan, numerous intricate details will require negotiation before President Trump can sign it into law.
Initially, House Republican leaders postponed Tuesday’s vote amidst uncertainty regarding the level of support needed to pass the legislation, subsequently recalling representatives for the vote.
Reports from US media indicated that President Trump personally contacted certain undecided lawmakers to urge them to approve the bill.