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President Donald Trump has hailed his recently approved domestic policy bill, which narrowly passed both chambers of Congress this week, as “very popular” among the American public.
Despite national polls from last month indicating a lack of enthusiasm surrounding the significant spending and tax cut measure, the president expressed confidence. He remarked to reporters early Friday, “I think it’s very popular. It does many things, but one of them is the biggest tax cuts in our country’s history. And that alone makes it very popular.”
As Trump addressed reporters, he had just returned from a July 4th-eve event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. During this occasion, he headlined the kickoff celebration for next year’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Earlier that day, the House passed the measure in a tense 218-214 vote, allowing the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” to clear its final hurdle in Congress. Trump described this legislative milestone as a splendid birthday gift for America.
In his speech to a large crowd in Des Moines, Iowa, Trump emphasized the significance of the measure, saying, “There could be no better birthday present for America than the phenomenal victory we achieved just hours ago.”
This week, Vice President JD Vance played a pivotal role in passing the bill by breaking a tie in the Senate, resulting in a 51-50 vote.
Trump acknowledged a complete lack of support from Democrats, asserting, “Not one Democrat voted for the bill in either chamber of Congress. They hate Trump. But I hate them too.”
Recognizing the urgency he placed on Congress, Trump had demanded that the bill reach his desk by July 4th, and he is scheduled to sign it at the White House at 5 PM ET.
The legislation addresses several key components of Trump’s 2024 campaign objectives, along with second-term priorities that include tax cuts, immigration reform, defense spending, energy policy, and debt ceiling measures.
One notable aspect of the bill is the proposal to extend Trump’s signature tax cuts from 2017 and abolish taxes on overtime pay and tips. By making the tax rates established during his first term permanent, the bill is projected to reduce taxes by nearly $4.4 trillion over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
The bill also dedicates substantial funding for border security and formally endorses the president’s contentious immigration policies.
In response to the bill, Democrats have voiced strong concerns, particularly highlighting the GOP’s proposed changes to Medicaid, a federal program providing health coverage to about 71 million low-income Americans. Senate Republicans indeed increased the cuts to Medicaid beyond what the House had originally approved.
These modifications to Medicaid, alongside cuts to food assistance programs, were primarily designed to finance the extension of Trump’s tax cuts. Notably, the legislation includes a variety of new rules, such as work requirements for many Medicaid recipients.
Ken Martin, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, condemned the legislation, labeling it one of the worst bills in American history. He asserted, “Today, Donald Trump and the Republican party sent a message to America: if you are not a billionaire, we don’t give a damn about you.”
Spanning an estimated $3.4 trillion, this legislative package is expected to increase the national debt by $4 trillion over the next decade.
Recent polling data illustrates a stark divide in public opinion. A Fox News national poll revealed that voters opposed the bill by a 21-point margin, with only 38% expressing support compared to 59% who disapproved.
In other surveys conducted last month, including those by the Washington Post and Pew Research, the bill consistently received lukewarm to negative feedback from the public.
The Fox News poll indicated that nearly half of respondents believed the bill would adversely affect their families, while only 23% thought it would provide benefits. Around 26% felt it would make no difference at all.
Among those familiar with the details of the legislation, 60% reported having a solid understanding of its contents. However, even among this group, more respondents believed it would harm their families rather than help (45% vs. 34%).
The data reflected a profound partisan split. While approximately 73% of Republicans supported the bill, nearly 89% of Democrats opposed it, along with about 73% of independents.
Amidst this contention, Republicans highlighted a poll from a GOP-aligned policy group that indicated substantial public backing for the tax cut provisions outlined in the bill.
A report from the group, One Nation, pointed out, “Polling shows that the public supports the Republican plan to cut taxes for families, eliminate taxes on Social Security, overtime, and tips, and rein in waste and abuse in the federal budget.”
This bill has ignited a lively debate, encapsulating the stark divisions in contemporary American politics and the contentious responses to President Trump’s legislative agenda.
Fox News’ Dana Blanton contributed to this report.
