U.S. House Advances “One Big Beautiful Bill” with Party-Line Vote, Now Heads to Senate

By Matthew Holloway |

The Republican-backed ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ successfully passed the U.S. House of Representatives late Wednesday with overwhelming support from the party. The bill now advances to the Senate, setting the stage for further legislative debates.

Opposition was minimal; only two House Republicans, Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Warren Davidson (R-OH), voted against it. Additionally, Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) cast a ‘Present’ vote, while Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) and David Schweikert (R-AZ) missed the vote but would have supported the measure.

Following the vote, Speaker Mike Johnson remarked, “For the record, we really had 217 votes. Andrew Garbarino fell asleep in the back; I’m going to strangle him. He’s my dear friend.” He clarified that Schweikert was prepared to vote but had to hastily insert his card, making the final count appear closer than it was.

Among Arizona Republicans, all members voted in favor, except for Democrats Yassamin Ansari and Greg Stanton, who opposed the measure. Congressman Abe Hamadeh highlighted the bill’s benefits, emphasizing features that align with the America First agenda, such as permanent tax cuts and economic support for small businesses.

President Donald Trump hailed the legislation on Truth Social, calling it one of the most significant bills in U.S. history. He touted provisions like tax cuts and measures to bolster border security, urging swift action from the Senate to advance the bill.

During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karline Leavitt stressed the importance of the Senate’s role, indicating that President Trump has supportive relationships with key Senate leaders. However, challenges loom, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledging the need for adjustments to bridge significant discrepancies between the House and Senate budget plans.

Concerns over fiscal responsibility were voiced by Senate members like Rand Paul, who criticized the potential for increased debt. David Schweikert echoed these sentiments, labeling the Senate’s budget resolution as inadequate.

Despite these apprehensions, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) expressed a positive outlook, describing the House bill as a “good start.” With a narrow majority, Senate Republicans can afford to lose only three votes for passage.

Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.