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On July 4th, President Donald Trump stepped onto the South Lawn of the White House to sign a massive new bill into law, something he called the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Just a day earlier, the bill barely passed through the Republican-led House with a narrow 218-214 vote, and now it’s being hailed as a major achievement of Trump’s second term.
The event felt more like a celebration than a signing ceremony. Hundreds of people gathered on the lawn, including Trump supporters, lawmakers, military families, and staff. With patriotic music, flyovers, and speeches, the day was full of pageantry and political showmanship. Trump proudly took the spotlight, thanking House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune for helping the bill clear Congress.
“This bill is making so many Americans happy,” Trump said. “We’re helping the military, helping workers, helping all kinds of people.” He highlighted the bill’s biggest points: making his 2017 tax cuts permanent, cutting government spending, and launching the largest border security plan in U.S. history.
So, what’s actually in the bill that Donald Trump signed??
The bill consists of a $350 billion package focused on border and national security. That includes:
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$46 billion to expand the U.S.-Mexico border wall
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$45 billion to add 100,000 detention beds for migrants
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Funding to hire 10,000 new ICE officers, each with a $10,000 signing bonus
It also includes permanent tax cuts and significant cuts to government spending across various departments.
But not everyone is cheering. All 212 House Democrats voted against the bill, with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries giving a nearly nine-hour speech on the House floor to oppose it. He called the bill a giveaway to the wealthy that would hurt everyday Americans, especially those who rely on government healthcare or social programs.
Some Republicans were also uneasy. A few raised concerns about the long-term costs and how it could impact healthcare coverage. But in the end, only two Republicans voted no.
A nonpartisan analysis estimates that the bill could add more than $3 trillion to the already massive $36.2 trillion national debt. Critics warn that while it funds border enforcement and tax breaks, it could lead to millions of Americans losing access to health services or other safety nets.
Supporters argue it’s a bold, much-needed move to tighten border control and reduce government overreach. Opponents say it favours the rich, increases the debt, and leaves the most vulnerable behind.
For now, though, Trump has claimed a major political win and used the Fourth of July stage to make sure everyone saw it.