Trump's Sweeping Tax-Cut and Spending Bill Wins Congress' Approval

Republican President Scores Major Victory That Will Make His 2017 Tax Cuts Permanent

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WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's tax-cut package cleared its final hurdle in the US Congress on July 3, as the Republican-controlled House of Representatives narrowly approved the massive bill and sent it to him to sign into law.

The 218-214 vote amounts to a significant victory for the Republican president that will fund his immigration crackdown, make his 2017 tax cuts permanent and deliver new tax breaks that he promised during his 2024 campaign.

It also cuts health and food safety net programmes, and zeroes out dozens of green energy incentives.

It would add US$3.4 trillion (S$4.3 trillion) to the nation's US$36.2 trillion debt, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

Despite concerns over the 869-page bill's price tag and its hit to healthcare programmes, Republicans largely lined up in support, with only two of the House's 220 Republicans voting against it.

The bill has already cleared the Republican-controlled Senate by the narrowest possible margin.

Republicans said the legislation will lower taxes for Americans across the income spectrum and spur economic growth.