Photos capture the Republicans push to pass Trump tax cuts as opposition fails

By J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE, MARIAM ZUHAIB and ROD LAMKEY

WASHINGTON (AP) — The past week has seen Republicans on Capitol Hill working to pass President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” House Democrats failed Thursday to persuade enough Republicans — at least four — to vote against it two days after Senate conservatives passed the tax and spending cuts package Tuesday.

Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries repeatedly referred to the package as “this one big ugly bill” as he delayed the vote for hours to speak out against it and the GOP’s deference to Trump.

Protesters against the bill have gathered at the Capitol Rotunda all week, with some submitting to arrest by Capitol Police.

House staffers carry American flags through a corridor outside the House chamber which will be used for a ceremony with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., after final passage of President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) — House staffers carry American flags through a corridor outside the House chamber which will be used for a ceremony with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., after final passage of President Donald Trump’s signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., left, speaks in the House chamber as House Democrats stand to applaud him, prior to the final vote for President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, at the Capitol, Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., left, speaks in the House chamber as House Democrats stand to applaud him, prior to the final vote for President Donald Trump’s signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, at the Capitol, Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

House Democrats on the steps of the Capitol hold up four fingers to signify how many Republicans are needed to vote against President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, in Washington, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) — House Democrats on the steps of the Capitol hold up four fingers to signify how many Republicans are needed to vote against President Donald Trump’s signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, in Washington, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

U.S. Capitol Police patrol the plaza as House Republicans work inside to pass President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts by a self-imposed Fourth of July deadline, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) — U.S. Capitol Police patrol the plaza as House Republicans work inside to pass President Donald Trump’s signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts by a self-imposed Fourth of July deadline, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., right, sits and holds his mobile phone at the U.S. Capitol Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., center, the ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is flanked by Energy and Commerce Committee chair Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., left, and Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., the ranking member of the House Budget Committee, as they meet with the House Rules Committee to send President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts to the House floor, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) — Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., center, the ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is flanked by Energy and Commerce Committee chair Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., left, and Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., the ranking member of the House Budget Committee, as they meet with the House Rules Committee to send President Donald Trump’s signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts to the House floor, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., looks over text as the House Rules Committee prepares President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts to go to the House floor, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) — House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., looks over text as the House Rules Committee prepares President Donald Trump’s signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts to go to the House floor, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, walks from the chamber to his office as Majority Leader John Thune struggles with Republicans, like Collins, who are opposed to President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) — Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, walks from the chamber to his office as Majority Leader John Thune struggles with Republicans, like Collins, who are opposed to President Donald Trump’s signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., emerges from the chamber just after passage of the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) — Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., emerges from the chamber just after passage of the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump’s signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Megan Owen, chief counsel to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, relays papers from the chamber as Thune struggles with Republicans opposed to President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) — Megan Owen, chief counsel to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, relays papers from the chamber as Thune struggles with Republicans opposed to President Donald Trump’s signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Demonstrators carry cardboard caskets in front of the U.S. Capitol in protest of President Donald Trump's tax breaks and spending cuts package, Monday, June 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) — Demonstrators carry cardboard caskets in front of the U.S. Capitol in protest of President Donald Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts package, Monday, June 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, stands in an elevator as Republicans begin a final push to advance President Donald Trump's tax breaks and spending cuts package, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) — Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, stands in an elevator as Republicans begin a final push to advance President Donald Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts package, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Sen. Thomas Tillis, R-N.C., leans out of an elevator to answer questions from reporters as Republicans begin a final push to advance President Donald Trump's tax breaks and spending cuts package, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) — Sen. Thomas Tillis, R-N.C., leans out of an elevator to answer questions from reporters as Republicans begin a final push to advance President Donald Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts package, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., walks outside the chamber as Republicans begin a final push to advance President Donald Trump's tax breaks and spending cuts package, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) — Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., walks outside the chamber as Republicans begin a final push to advance President Donald Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts package, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Activists organized by the Repairers of the Breach demonstrate their opposition to President Donald Trump's tax breaks and spending cuts as they gather in the Capitol Rotunda to pray and submit to arrest by U.S. Capitol Police, in Washington, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) — Activists organized by the Repairers of the Breach demonstrate their opposition to President Donald Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts as they gather in the Capitol Rotunda to pray and submit to arrest by U.S. Capitol Police, in Washington, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., steps out of an elevator as Republicans begin a final push to advance President Donald Trump's tax breaks and spending cuts package, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) — Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., steps out of an elevator as Republicans begin a final push to advance President Donald Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts package, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., bounces a ball off the marble floor near the Senate chamber as Republicans make their final push to advance President Donald Trump's tax breaks and spending cuts package, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) — Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., bounces a ball off the marble floor near the Senate chamber as Republicans make their final push to advance President Donald Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts package, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., speaks to reporters as Republicans begin a final push to advance President Donald Trump's tax breaks and spending cuts package, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) — Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., speaks to reporters as Republicans begin a final push to advance President Donald Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts package, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., speaks to reporters outside the Senate chamber as Republicans begin a final push to advance President Donald Trump's tax breaks and spending cuts package, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) — Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., speaks to reporters outside the Senate chamber as Republicans begin a final push to advance President Donald Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts package, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, left, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, arrives for a closed-door Republican meeting to advance President Donald Trump's sweeping domestic policy bill, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) — Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, left, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, arrives for a closed-door Republican meeting to advance President Donald Trump’s sweeping domestic policy bill, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick walks through a corridor at the Senate as Republicans work to advance President Donald Trump's sweeping domestic policy bill, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) — Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick walks through a corridor at the Senate as Republicans work to advance President Donald Trump’s sweeping domestic policy bill, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

U.S. Capitol Police arrest protesters after they disrupted shouting a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing where Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought was testifying on the rescissions package, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

U.S. Capitol Police remove protesters after they began shouting in a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing as Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought begins to testify on the rescissions package, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, asks a question during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the rescissions package on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent talks to reporters about his lunch meeting with Republican senators and the schedule for getting the Republican megabill to President Donald Trump's desk by July 4, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent talks to reporters about his lunch meeting with Republican senators and the schedule for getting the Republican megabill to President Donald Trump’s desk by July 4, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., gives reporters an optimistic outlook to passing President Donald Trump's big tax and immigration bill by July 4th, during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) — Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., gives reporters an optimistic outlook to passing President Donald Trump’s big tax and immigration bill by July 4th, during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is joined by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., left, ranking member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, as he talks to reporters about Senate Republicans' efforts to pass President Donald Trump's tax cut and spending agenda with deeper Medicaid cuts, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is joined by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., left, ranking member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, as he talks to reporters about Senate Republicans’ efforts to pass President Donald Trump’s tax cut and spending agenda with deeper Medicaid cuts, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., surrounded by Republican members of Congress, speaks following the passage of President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) — Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., surrounded by Republican members of Congress, speaks following the passage of President Donald Trump’s signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., prepares to gavel in the House chamber for final passage of President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, at the Capitol, Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) — Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., prepares to gavel in the House chamber for final passage of President Donald Trump’s signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, at the Capitol, Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., surrounded by Republican members of Congress, signs President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) — Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., surrounded by Republican members of Congress, signs President Donald Trump’s signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene, R-Ga., center, laughs as Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., right, is greeted in the House chamber during final passage of President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, at the Capitol, Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) — Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene, R-Ga., center, laughs as Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., right, is greeted in the House chamber during final passage of President Donald Trump’s signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, at the Capitol, Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., center left, talks with Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., in the House chamber during final passage of President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, at the Capitol, Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., center left, talks with Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., in the House chamber during final passage of President Donald Trump’s signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, at the Capitol, Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., right, leaves his office with Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., left, and Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., center, shortly after speaking in the House chamber during the final vote for President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., right, leaves his office with Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., left, and Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., center, shortly after speaking in the House chamber during the final vote for President Donald Trump’s signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Republican members of Congress reach to shake hands with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., center bottom, after Johnson signed President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) — Republican members of Congress reach to shake hands with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., center bottom, after Johnson signed President Donald Trump’s signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Republican members of Congress take a selfie following the passage of President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) — Republican members of Congress take a selfie following the passage of President Donald Trump’s signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, holds his daughter following the passage of President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) — Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, holds his daughter following the passage of President Donald Trump’s signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., surrounded by Republican members of Congress, holds up the final vote count while speaking following the passage of President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) — Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., surrounded by Republican members of Congress, holds up the final vote count while speaking following the passage of President Donald Trump’s signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)