Trump signs ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ into law at White House July 4 celebrations

US President Donald Trump signed into law the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, a sweeping package of tax cuts and spending reductions, during a ceremony at the White House on Friday, marking a major legislative victory just a day after the narrowly passed bill cleared the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

The legislation, considered the cornerstone of Trump’s second-term agenda, passed by a slim 218-214 margin following a heated and emotional debate on the House floor. It includes provisions to make the 2017 tax cuts permanent, implement broad spending cuts, and fund an aggressive immigration enforcement strategy. Analysts expect it could leave millions of Americans without health insurance.

“I’ve never seen people so happy in our country because of that, because so many different groups of people are being taken care of: the military, civilians of all types, jobs of all types,” Trump said at the signing ceremony, where he thanked House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune for shepherding the bill through Congress.

“So you have the biggest tax cut, the biggest spending cut, the largest border security investment in American history,” Trump added.

The signing took place on the South Lawn during a festive July 4th celebration, featuring military flyovers, including stealth bombers and fighter jets that recently participated in US strikes on nuclear sites in Iran.

The event drew hundreds of attendees, including Trump supporters, congressional allies, military families, and White House staff.

The bill’s passage marks a major political victory for Trump and his Republican allies, who argue the package will spur economic growth. However, a nonpartisan analysis projects the plan will add more than USD 3 trillion to the already USD 36.2 trillion national debt.

Despite some Republican lawmakers voicing concerns about the bill’s high cost and its impact on healthcare programs, only two of the House’s 220 Republicans ultimately voted against it. All 212 Democrats opposed the bill.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered a marathon floor speech lasting eight hours and 46 minutes, denouncing the legislation as a massive benefit for the wealthy at the expense of vulnerable Americans.

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With inputs from Reuters