Trump demands lawmakers stay in Washington and pass his sweeping spending bill before July 4 or skip their summer break.
As July 4th is quickly approaching, former President Donald Trump is asking Congress not to take a vacation anytime soon. He’s begging lawmakers to stay put and finish what he’s calling the “One Big, Beautiful Bill.” And in typical Trump fashion, he’s not leaving anything to chance, telling them don’t even think about taking a summer vacation.
“Lock yourself in a room and get it done”
In a scorching Tuesday morning Truth Social rant, Trump made one thing clear: Congress must pass the bill by Independence Day. He spoke directly to Senate Republicans, writing, “Lock yourself in a room if you must, don’t go home, and GET THE DEAL DONE THIS WEEK.”
His message? No vacations. No stalling. Just results.
Republicans are feeling the pressure
A few lawmakers, especially senators, aren’t sure they can accomplish the work by Trump’s deadline. Senate Majority Leader John Thune maintains, however, that they can’t do anything but win. “Failure is not an option,” he tweeted.
Thune also suggested that if Congress can enact this legislation before the Fourth of July holiday, it would help leave future generations with a safer, better country. That’s a tall order—and a tall order of work.
What’s in the “Big, beautiful bill”?
The bill covers a wide range of subjects. Some of the most important are:
- Taxes
- Immigration and border security
- Defense appropriations
- Energy production
- Federal spending limits
- Food stamps (SNAP) and Medicaid reforms
For the most part, this bill impacts nearly every function of the federal government.
A big price tag
While Trump is touting the bill as a historic victory, not all are believers. Critics argue that the bill would increase the national debt by $3 trillion with interest and up to $5 trillion if it were permanent.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) also weighed in on the House version of the bill and determined that it would add $2.4 trillion to the federal deficit over 10 years, before counting interest.
So, as Trump is touting it as a “present” to the American people, others worry about how to pay for it.
A “Golden Age” or a growing problem?
Trump is asserting that this bill is the last piece of his promise to “Make America Great Again.” He called it a “historic present” for America on its 250th birthday and argued it will bring “unprecedented safety, security, and prosperity.”
But others, such as Sen. Ron Johnson, think there is still more that needs to be done. “The first step of fixing a problem is acknowledging there is one,” Johnson said.
What happens next?
With Trump putting on the pressure and a holiday deadline fast approaching, Congress is moving at a rapid pace. Whether they can reach an agreement in time—and what the final form of the bill will be—remains to be seen.
One thing’s for sure: Capitol Hill’s not going on vacation anytime soon.
