House Republicans passed their “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” early Thursday morning in defiance of several warnings that it would have big negative consequences for the United States. The “biggest” thing about the bill (beyond its 1,118-page length) is the more than $3 trillion that the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates it would add to budget deficits over the next decade. That figure would swell to more than $5 trillion if the nominally temporary policies within it are made permanent, as leading Republicans have made clear they intend. No matter which measurement is used, this bill would be…

Republican lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed sweeping reconciliation legislation early Thursday that, among other things, would repeal several key federal student loan forgiveness and repayment programs and slash more than $300 billion in education-related spending. The bill narrowly passed by a 215 to 214 vote, mostly along party lines. The student loan reforms are part of a broader effort by Congressional Republicans to slash federal spending to help offset the costs of extending expiring tax cuts. “President Trump’s America First agenda is finally here, and we are advancing that today,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) shortly after…