House Speaker Mike Johnson had reason to worry that not enough members of his own caucus would vote for a budget resolution on Tuesday.

Yet in a major victory for President Donald Trump, the measure ultimately passed by a vote of 217 to 215.

Bill extends Trump's tax cuts from 2017

According to the Daily Caller, the budget resolution approves a $4.5 trillion increase and lifts the statutory debt limit by $4 trillion.

As Fox News pointed out, those steps allow for the extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which Trump signed during his first term in office.

This fact was highlighted by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, who warned that "the average taxpayer will see a 22 percent tax hike if Congress fails to act."

"The average family of four will see their taxes go up by almost $1,700 – that’s two months’ worth of groceries…These families, farmers, workers, and small businesses need certainty that relief is on the way so they can thrive once again," Smith stressed.

In addition to facilitating tax cuts, the bill also includes $300 billion in new funding for border security, defense, and the judiciary while calling for between $1.5 trillion and $2 trillion in spending cuts.

House speaker touts bill as key to America First agenda

Johnson celebrated the resolution's passage with a social media post, writing, "House Republicans moved Congress closer to delivering on President Trump’s full America First agenda — not just parts of it."

My joint statement with Majority Leader@SteveScalise, @GOPMajorityWhip, and @HouseGOP
Chairwoman @RepLisaMcClain on the passage of the House Budget Resolution:

Today, House Republicans moved Congress closer to delivering on President Trump’s full America First agenda — not just… pic.twitter.com/X2Wy7SFR3Z

— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) February 26, 2025

Johnson added that the GOP is "determined to send a bill to President Trump’s desk that secures our border, keeps taxes low for families and job creators, restores American energy dominance, strengthens America’s standing on the world stage, and makes government work more effectively for all Americans."

The Daily Caller noted how Johnson touted the bill prior to its passage when speaking with reporters, saying, "There’s no plan B. This is the only plan we’re running with."

Republicans hope to pass bill via reconciliation process

Fox News explained that Republicans in the House and Senate are hoping to pass the bill via something known as the reconciliation process.

Created by the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, reconciliation permits the Senate to pass legislation by a simple majority vote rather than the usual two-thirds margin.

That provision is critical, as at present Republicans only hold 53 seats in the Senate, thus allowing Democrats to block most bills.