On July 4, President Donald Trump celebrated Independence Day by signing the One Big, Beautiful Bill into law. This significant budget legislation came after a lengthy battle in Congress, and Trump had set a goal to have it passed by the holiday. Standing on the South Portico of the White House, he was joined by First Lady Melania Trump for the occasion, which included the national anthem and a military flyover.
In his speech, Trump wished everyone a happy Fourth of July and expressed pride in the bill, calling it a special achievement. He highlighted the spirit of the nation, saying, “We haven’t seen anything like it in many, many years.” He also mentioned Operation Midnight Hammer, which aimed to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, and celebrated his administration’s recent successes.
Trump emphasized the importance of the bill, stating, “The American people gave us a historic mandate in November… We made promises, and it’s really promises made, promises kept.” He described the passage of the bill as a triumph of democracy on the nation’s birthday.
The One Big, Beautiful Bill makes several key changes. It permanently extends the tax cuts from 2017, boosts funding for border security, and introduces work requirements for able-bodied recipients of Medicaid and food stamps. Additionally, it defunds Planned Parenthood for a year, supports the “Golden Dome” missile defense program, and eliminates taxes on tips and overtime.
The legislation passed through both houses of Congress amid considerable opposition from Democrats and some hesitance within the Republican Party. The House narrowly approved the bill with a vote of 218-214 after Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered a lengthy speech to delay its progress. In the Senate, Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote to ensure its passage.
Following the bill’s approval on July 3, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised the president and Republican lawmakers for their efforts, stating that they delivered significant wins for the American people with this legislation.
As Trump signed the bill, flanked by House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, he declared, “The Golden Age of America is upon us.” He expressed optimism about the future, suggesting that the country is entering a remarkable period unlike any seen before.