A controversial tax-cut and spending bill backed by President Donald Trump is facing stiff headwinds in the House of Representatives after narrowly clearing the Senate on Tuesday. The legislation, projected by nonpartisan analysts to add $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, heads to the House amid fierce internal Republican debate and Democratic opposition.

The Senate passed the measure by the slimmest possible margin after days of heated negotiations, particularly over proposed cuts to the Medicaid healthcare program. Now, Republican leaders in the House—where they hold a fragile 220-212 majority—must rally a fractured caucus to meet their self-imposed July 4 deadline.

Intraparty Tensions Over Debt and Spending

Hardline conservatives in the Republican Party have voiced strong objections, arguing that the bill fails to adequately rein in federal spending. Their criticism also targets the expected $5 trillion increase to the nation's debt ceiling—a move necessary to prevent default on the $36.2 trillion national debt.

Despite these concerns, GOP leaders are pressing ahead. An initial procedural vote was scheduled for 9 a.m. ET on Wednesday, though the legislative path remains uncertain. If the House amends the bill, it would require another vote in the Senate, likely derailing any hope of final passage before Independence Day.

Democrats Hold Firm in Opposition

Democratic lawmakers have uniformly opposed the legislation, criticizing it as favoring the wealthy while slashing programs critical to lower- and middle-income Americans. The proposed tax breaks, they argue, come at the expense of Medicaid and other essential services.

Storms Add Further Delays

Severe storms in the Washington area on Tuesday evening canceled flights and disrupted travel plans for lawmakers. Several representatives from both parties took to social media to share their efforts to drive back to the Capitol in time for the expected vote.

As the legislative drama unfolds, the future of the bill—and Trump’s broader fiscal agenda—hangs in the balance.