Washington, 3 July 2025 (dpa/MIA) - The Republicans in the US Congress passed a controversial tax and spending bill on Thursday, handing President Donald Trump a major political win.

The Senate had already approved what has been dubbed the "One Big Beautiful Bill" by a wafer-thin majority on Tuesday after a marathon overnight session.

The vote on Thursday afternoon had been held up in part due to the opposition of several Republican lawmakers.

The Republicans were only able to overcome a procedural hurdle overnight and begin the debate on the bill.

Leading Democrat lawmaker Hakeem Jeffries also delayed the vote with a speech lasting more than eight hours in the plenary chamber of the House of Representatives - a new record according to US media.

However, he was unable to stop the bill. A total of 218 Republicans in the House voted in favour of the bill, while two Republicans voted against it. All 212 House Democrats rejected the bill.

Until very shortly before the result was announced, it was unclear how a few remaining Republicans who had not yet cast their vote would decide. Trump's victory was hanging by a thread.

It can now be presented to Trump for signature - in time for deadline that Trump imposed, July 4, a US national holiday, on Friday.

A centrepiece of the bill is the permanent extension of tax breaks from Trump's first term in office. These are to be financed by cuts to social benefits - a point that has met with fierce criticism from Democrats.

The package provides for more spending in some areas - such as border protection and defence - and cuts in others. The cuts affect social benefits.

Photo: epa