Republican holdouts in the House of Representatives abandoned their opposition to President Donald Trump’s massive spending bill after the commander-in-chief unleashed a furious social media tirade, clearing the way for his signature legislation to advance to a final vote early Thursday morning, July 3.
The procedural vote, which remained open for more than seven hours, ultimately passed 219-213 after Trump spent the evening personally calling rebellious lawmakers and applying intense pressure through his Truth Social platform. Only Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania remained the lone Republican to vote against the rule allowing the One Big Beautiful Bill to proceed to floor consideration.
Trump’s explosive message on Truth Social Wednesday evening captured the intensity of his frustration with the holdouts: “MAGA IS NOT HAPPY, AND IT’S COSTING YOU VOTES!!!” The president followed up with additional posts demanding Republicans support what he described as the largest tax cuts in history versus the biggest tax increase under Democratic leadership.
Five GOP lawmakers initially voted against approving the rule, while eight more withheld their votes entirely, triggering the marathon negotiation session that stretched through the night. Trump personally contacted several holdouts during the early morning hours of Thursday, including Representatives Victoria Spartz of Indiana, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, and Thomas Massie of Kentucky.
The president’s pressure tactics extended beyond social media outbursts. According to reports, Trump invited wavering House Republicans to the White House Wednesday, where lawmakers emerged with signed merchandise, photographs in the Oval Office, and what sources described as a newfound appreciation for the legislation. Burchett later praised the president as wonderful and informative, noting Trump told him he enjoyed seeing the congressman on television.
The $3.3 trillion measure represents Trump’s most significant domestic policy achievement, combining extensions of his 2017 tax cuts with the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime pay. The legislation doubles the child tax credit and establishes $1,000 investment accounts for newborn babies, previously known as MAGA accounts. However, the bill also includes substantial cuts to Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and renewable energy programs.
Massie, originally one of the most vocal critics, agreed to support the bill after Trump ceased attacking him personally. The Kentucky representative had been among just two House Republicans who initially opposed the spending package. Before the crucial vote, House Speaker Mike Johnson gathered the GOP holdouts on the House floor and led them in prayer, after which the group posed for a selfie taken by Johnson himself.
The legislation’s timing appears strategically calculated for maximum political benefit. Tax cuts take effect immediately, allowing voters to see benefits before the 2026 midterm elections, while painful welfare cuts are staggered to begin after the midterms. By 2034, an estimated 11.8 million more Americans will lose health insurance coverage due to reductions in Medicaid, Medicare, and Affordable Care Act spending.
Critics within the Republican Party have expressed concern about the bill’s massive fiscal impact. The tax cuts alone will cost $4.5 trillion over the next decade, according to Congressional Budget Office projections. Billionaire Elon Musk publicly criticized the legislation, comparing the spending levels to political suicide and warning about debt slavery.
Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele warned that Trump had placed congressional Republicans in a difficult position, suggesting the president prioritized personal victories over consequences to his party members. Steele predicted many members might give Trump his win but would not return to Congress in 2027.
The rushed legislative process drew criticism from Democrats and some Republicans who noted many representatives had not fully read the nearly 900-page bill before voting. Representative Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin defended his colleagues, insisting they were not subservient to Trump’s demands and describing the process as compromise rather than capitulation.
Trump signed the legislation during a July 4 ceremony featuring military flyovers, including B-2 bombers recently deployed to Iran. The president declared the bill would deliver the biggest tax cuts in history while providing massive funding for border security and military operations. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries vowed Democrats would continue pressuring Republicans and working to prevent what he characterized as extremist attempts to eliminate healthcare coverage.
The legislation’s passage demonstrates Trump’s continued influence over the Republican Party, with only Fitzpatrick and initially Massie providing sustained opposition. The president’s ability to transform rebellion into compliance through direct pressure and public criticism underscores his political control over congressional Republicans, even when facing concerns about fiscal responsibility and electoral consequences.
