After a grueling 17-hour hearing, the House Ways and Means Committee advanced President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and border security legislation, dubbed the “big, beautiful” bill. The session, marked by bipartisan fatigue, saw lawmakers from both parties caught on camera dozing off during deliberations.
The legislation aims to extend the 2017 Trump Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, implement a 5% tax on remittances sent abroad by individuals without verified legal status, and introduce significant spending reductions, including nearly $900 billion in targeted cuts to federal programs.
During the extended session, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) was observed asleep at her desk. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), who recently announced she will not seek re-election in 2026, was also seen nodding off. On the Republican side, Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT) appeared to doze off and required prompting from a colleague to respond to a question.
The proposed legislation includes a 5% excise tax on remittance transfers sent by individuals without verified legal status. This tax would not apply to U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals, and a refundable tax credit would be available for those with valid Social Security numbers who pay the tax. This measure is designed to reduce the untaxed outflow of funds, which totaled $103 billion in 2020. Countries such as China received $19 billion in such transfers, and Nicaragua alone took in $373.5 million in January 2025. Remittances accounted for 27% of Nicaragua’s GDP in 2024.
The bill also seeks to make permanent the Trump-era tax cuts, expand the Child Tax Credit, and allow deductions for tips and overtime pay. At the same time, it proposes significant reductions in spending, particularly in programs such as Medicaid and food assistance, as part of broader fiscal reforms.
Republican leaders plan to move the bill through the House Budget Committee next, aiming for final passage before the July 4 recess. The legislation is expected to proceed under budget reconciliation rules to bypass a Senate filibuster and ensure a smoother path to enactment.
