US politics live: House debates Trump's tax-and-spending bill after overnight advancement
Briefly

The House has progressed toward a vote on Donald Trump's tax-and-spending bill, with a procedural vote passing 219-213. Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries voiced strong opposition, presenting stories from Americans affected by Medicaid cuts. House speaker Mike Johnson expressed optimism, highlighting Trump's involvement in securing votes. The Republican majority of 220-212 means they can afford a limited number of defections. Democrats unanimously oppose the bill, criticizing the tax breaks for benefiting the wealthy at the expense of critical services.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries labeled the tax-and-spending bill as 'one big ugly bill' and emphasized the potential harm to Americans reliant on Medicaid.
House speaker Mike Johnson praised President Trump for actively reaching out to lawmakers to secure votes, emphasizing Trump's engagement during the deliberation process.
With Republicans holding a narrow majority of 220-212, party leaders indicated the importance of unity, as any more than three defections could prevent the bill's passage.
Democrats opposed the bill, arguing that the proposed tax breaks primarily benefit the wealthy while significantly cutting essential services for others.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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