Trump’s Bill: Florida Says Yes, PA & KY Say No
In a legislative maneuver that Florida Representative Byron Donalds hailed as a masterclass in leadership, President Donald Trump successfully steered his “big, beautiful” bill through the House of Representatives on Thursday, achieving a significant victory for his administration.
The landmark legislation, which the President signed on Friday, delivers on key campaign promises, including eliminating taxes on tips and overtime pay, and saw overwhelming Republican support, despite initial reservations from some conservative factions.
While the bill passed congressional hurdles, it wasn’t a unanimous walk-off win for the GOP.
READ: Historic Funding Surge To Construct Walls, Boost Manpower, and Enhance Surveillance On Border
Two Republicans, Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, crossed the aisle and voted with House Democrats.
Their dissenting votes highlight the complex ideological currents still at play within the Republican party, even as the President demonstrated his formidable influence.
Florida’s Byron Donalds, a vocal supporter of the President, offered an inside look at how Trump managed to rally his party.
Speaking on “The Story with Martha MacCallum,” Donalds credited the President’s “hands-on approach, attention to detail and business-style leadership” for bringing Republicans onboard. “The president came in very focused on the details of the legislation—where all the pieces were moving,” Donalds explained, noting that many colleagues were “very impressed” by Trump’s direct engagement.
READ: Accused Of Bias, University Of Maryland Terrorism Center Loses Federal Funding
“At the end of the day, Donald Trump is a businessman, ladies and gentlemen. If he has to use the stick, he’ll use it. If he has to use carrots, he’ll do that too,” Donalds quipped, underscoring the President’s pragmatic and results-driven approach. He emphasized that Trump is “about accomplishing the mission – period, point blank,” and that his recent efforts demonstrated him “leading the Republican conference to make sure that we delivered on all the promises from last year’s election.”
A notable shift came from the House Freedom Caucus, a group of conservative members who had initially criticized the Senate-amended bill, particularly over its potential to increase budget deficits and the inclusion of certain clean energy tax credits.
However, their concerns were ultimately assuaged by the President’s direct assurances that he would strictly enforce the phase-down of solar and wind tax credits. This pivotal promise seemingly swayed the holdouts, securing their crucial votes.
READ: From “Magic Minute” To “Stinking Turd,” Carville Rallies Dems to Make Trump Bill Central To 2026
House Speaker Mike Johnson also lauded Trump’s role in the legislative triumph, stating that the President “helped answer questions” and brought in Cabinet secretaries and experts to address concerns. The success further solidifies President Trump’s reputation among many congressional Republicans as “the closer,” a title earned through his consistent ability to flip holdouts and secure votes for his agenda.
Through a “blunt-force charm offensive waged with precision,” as described by The New York Times, President Trump engaged in a flurry of phone calls and White House invitations to win over wavering Republicans.
His direct intervention, paired with the promise to deliver on key campaign pledges, proved to be the decisive factor in passing his “big, beautiful” bill, cementing a major legislative win just ahead of the July 4th deadline and holiday.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
