With Independence Day just around the corner, the White House is going full throttle to get President Trump’s signature legislation — dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” — passed in time for a patriotic celebration on the South Lawn.
The plan? A big signing ceremony next Friday, complete with Republican lawmakers, waving flags, and a touch of political theater.
But there’s just one hitch — Congress still hasn’t agreed on the final version of the bill.
A Mega Bill With a Mega Price Tag
President Trump has been very vocal about what he wants: a massive, multi-trillion-dollar package combining deep tax cuts with border security measures.
He’s set a hard deadline — July 4 — and expects the bill to be on his desk by then.
The House already passed its version in late May, clocking in at a staggering $2.4 trillion.
But the Senate is still working through its own version, and the differences between the two chambers are proving to be a sticking point.
Glitzy Celebration Plans at Risk
The idea behind the deadline is clear: the White House wants to stage a political spectacle on America’s birthday.
Trump reportedly envisions a high-profile bill signing surrounded by lawmakers, right near his newly installed flagpoles.
But unless Congress comes to an agreement fast, the whole thing could fall apart.
No bill, no celebration.
The Clock Is Ticking, and Tempers Are Rising
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has signaled he wants a final vote by Friday.
But that’s easier said than done. Even among Trump’s Republican allies, the 1,000-page bill has drawn criticism from all angles.
Some think the proposed spending cuts don’t go far enough, while others argue they’re too severe.
There’s also controversy over a provision that would block AI regulation in certain states for a decade — a deal-breaker for some lawmakers.
A Party Divided: GOP Faces Internal Pushback
If more than two Republicans in the House or four in the Senate vote “no,” the bill is dead.
And some big names are already voicing objections.
Representatives like Andy Harris, Thomas Massie, Chip Roy, and Marjorie Taylor Greene have raised red flags. Greene, in particular, isn’t thrilled about the AI clause.
Though these lawmakers have backed down under Trump’s pressure before, it’s not guaranteed they will again.
During a meeting with conservative House members, Harris bluntly called the Senate version of the bill a “crap sandwich.”
And Chip Roy went public with his frustration, saying the Senate’s changes only made things worse.
White House in Damage Control Mode
To prevent a full-on GOP rebellion, the White House has sent top officials to Capitol Hill to work the room.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair met with the Republican Study Committee — a group of 180+ conservatives — to calm nerves and rally support.
The message was clear: “No one goes on vacation until this bill is passed.”
When asked whether Trump would personally negotiate, Leavitt replied that the president is always willing to make phone calls if needed.
“We need the Senate to finish its version, send it back to the House, and get it to Trump by July 4,” she said.
Senators Dig In Their Heels
Meanwhile, over in the Senate, some Republicans are preparing to put up a fight.
Fiscal conservatives like Rand Paul and Ron Johnson are balking at the bill’s potential impact on the national deficit.
Others, like Susan Collins and Josh Hawley, are concerned about how rural hospitals might be affected.
And things just got more complicated.
Senate Parliamentarian Cuts Deep
The Senate Parliamentarian — who ensures bills meet certain procedural rules — has removed several key parts of the GOP’s original bill.
Among the casualties: proposed Medicaid cuts and other conservative policy goals that didn’t comply with reconciliation rules.
That means Republicans now have to rewrite significant portions of the legislation — and quickly.
“It’s been a blood bath,” said Sen. Paul.
“The spending cuts were already weak, and now they’re practically gone.”
Treasury Secretary Tries to Calm the Storm
To reassure uneasy senators, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hosted a lunch meeting this week.
Afterward, he said things are looking up and that the bill is still on track for a Friday vote.
But with so many moving pieces and ongoing edits, nothing is certain.
House Worries About Getting Cornered
There’s growing concern in the House that the Senate may hand them a watered-down, less conservative bill at the last minute — just before the July 4 deadline.
Some lawmakers are bracing for a standoff.
“If that happens, this thing could drag on for months,” warned Rep. Ralph Norman.
“We’re not going to let them jam us with a bill that doesn’t reflect our values.”
Norman said he’s prepared to hold out through the summer if that’s what it takes.
“We either cut the deficit now, or we keep debating it until we do.
This is our moment. If we mess it up, we only have ourselves to blame.”
What’s Next?
With just a week to go, the fate of Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill hangs in the balance.
Will Congress pull it together in time for a July 4th victory lap?
Or will internal GOP divisions, budget concerns, and last-minute edits push the timeline into summer?
One thing’s certain — the next few days on Capitol Hill are going to be tense, dramatic, and decisive.