In a late-night political drama that stretched into the early hours of Thursday, House Republicans managed to clear a key hurdle for President Donald Trump’s sweeping legislative package — a “megabill” packed with domestic priorities — after a marathon vote that tested the limits of GOP unity.
The chamber voted 219-213 to advance the bill by approving the rule governing debate — a necessary step before final passage — following a historic and suspenseful standoff that saw the vote held open for over five hours, the longest in House history.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) bet big by calling the vote despite vocal opposition from hard-line conservatives in his own party. Many were unhappy with the bill’s spending levels and the Senate’s revisions, which increased deficit spending. But Johnson stood firm — and won.
The gamble paid off, thanks in large part to Trump himself, who reportedly called several Republican holdouts during the standoff. By early morning, the Speaker had flipped enough votes to secure a narrow victory.
In a dramatic and symbolic moment, Johnson gathered the holdouts on the House floor for a group prayer before the final votes were cast. Afterward, he snapped a photo with the group — a sign of the moment’s high stakes and high emotion.
“We had GREAT conversations all day, and the Republican House Majority is UNITED, for the Good of our Country,” Trump posted on Truth Social just before the vote. “Let’s go Republicans… MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
The measure’s passage moves the House closer to a final vote on the legislation itself, expected later Thursday morning — just in time to meet GOP leaders' self-imposed July 4 deadline. The Senate had already passed the bill on Tuesday, meaning it will go straight to Trump’s desk for signing if the House follows suit.
The drama unfolded over a turbulent day on Capitol Hill, with conservative lawmakers initially refusing to back the rule and demanding more time to review the Senate’s changes. Johnson and his leadership team spent hours in backroom negotiations, aided by direct outreach from Trump.
At one point, the vote appeared doomed: 10 Republicans withheld their votes, and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) even flipped from “yes” to “no.” But after calls from Trump and personal appeals from leadership, eight Republicans who had been holding out voted “yes,” and several flipped their votes in favor of the rule. Only Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) remained a Republican “no.”
Critics on the right have slammed the bill — which includes major tax cuts and funding for domestic programs — for expanding federal spending. But party leaders have pitched it as a major legislative win for Trump ahead of his Independence Day celebration, where he's expected to sign it with fanfare.
With debate now underway and a final vote just hours away, Republicans hope to turn the page on the internal turmoil and focus on the substance of the bill — and the message they’ll take to voters heading into a contentious election season.
