"A big, ugly cut" – Trump’s monster bill passes the House of Representatives

It is a law of gigantic proportions - 887 pages long, filled with tax cuts, spending reductions, new billions for the military and the deportation machinery. But what President Donald J. Trump calls the "One Big Beautiful Bill" is a rude awakening for millions of Americans: The Republican-dominated Congress is embarking on one of the most radical overhauls of U.S. social policy in generations. And at such a rapid pace that not even all members of Congress know exactly what they are voting on. On Wednesday, Republicans in the House pushed through the vote on the Senate version of the bill - without amendments, without debate, with barely 24 hours' notice. Some of the key provisions were only added at the last minute to secure the yes vote of moderate Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska. Changes that surprised even conservative lawmakers - and horrified Democrats. The consequences are profound: According to the independent Congressional Budget Office, the law will increase the federal deficit by $3.3 trillion by 2034 - nearly a trillion more than the original version. In addition, according to the analysis, around 11.8 million Americans will lose their health insurance coverage by then. While debate was still ongoing on Capitol Hill, Trump pushed for implementation. He wants to sign the bill on July 4 - symbolically on Independence Day. The tactic: speed replaces oversight, party discipline replaces democratic negotiation. Those who hesitate are publicly reprimanded. Republican Congressman Jason Smith proudly published a text message to Trump in which he praised his "vision, leadership and determination" - a signal to the party base: Anyone who does not follow the president is opposing America.

At the same time, Democratic resistance took shape. In a symbolic act, the entire caucus gathered on the Capitol steps and shouted loudly: "Hell No!" - not a single Democratic yes vote for the "ugly" bill, as Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called it. On the floor itself, dozens of lawmakers tried to introduce protective measures for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) into the debate - but Republican voices blocked every motion. The scene: an open power struggle under the rules of parliamentary order. The content of the bill is also causing outrage. The promised tax relief on tips up to $25,000 feels like a piece of candy - but at the same time, billions are to be cut from health care, poverty relief and education. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez put it bluntly: "Is that your deal? Tip income instead of health insurance? A small tax bonus - and in return you can’t feed your baby anymore?" Republican Congressman Mike Haridopolos, on the other hand, praised the bill as a rescue for "the people who had to pay too much under Biden." Even within the Republican ranks, there are doubts. Congressman Ralph Norman announced a no vote on the procedural motion unless clear offsetting measures were promised. Tim Burchett from Tennessee said openly: "Every time they say, we’ll fix it later. And every time we don’t." But Trump’s deadline is set - and those who refuse risk the president’s wrath.

Meanwhile, political decisions were also being made on another front: The White House announced that it would temporarily halt ammunition deliveries to Ukraine - including Patriot missiles, GMLRS, Hellfire and Stinger missiles, as well as AT-4 launchers. The decision was justified by "worryingly depleted U.S. stockpiles." Critics see this as a geopolitical shift - away from long-term support for Ukraine and toward domestic political staging. Domestically as well, the tone is hardening. The Trump administration has frozen over six billion dollars in education grants - for after-school programs, language courses and literacy initiatives. The justification: the funds had been "grossly misused," including by schools allegedly funding programs for undocumented immigrants or organizing seminars on "queer resistance culture." The message: public funding is now only available for politically approved purposes. And while the political spectacle unfolds, fear spreads - fear of cuts, of disempowerment, of a system that prioritizes speed over substance and loyalty over reason. Trump’s "Big Beautiful Bill" is more than just legislation - it is a signal flare. For presidential power. For the erosion of democratic processes. And for an America that is redefining itself at record speed.