Former President Barack Obama stepped back into the political spotlight to urge Americans to call their congressional representatives and oppose President Donald Trump’s proposed $3.3 trillion spending bill. In a post on X, Obama warned that the bill could strip more than 16 million Americans of healthcare by slashing Medicaid funding and dismantling key parts of the Affordable Care Act.

Meanwhile, House Democrats are using procedural tactics to delay the bill’s progress. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries began speaking just before 5 a.m. on Thursday, utilizing the “magic minute” rule, which allows party leaders unlimited time on the House floor. He brought multiple binders, reading from one for hours, indicating a possible filibuster-style effort to prolong debate.

Despite the opposition, House Republicans scored a key procedural win by narrowly passing the “rule vote” 219 to 213, allowing debate on the bill to proceed. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., celebrated the move, although the bill’s final passage remained uncertain due to internal GOP disagreements.

Some House Republicans, particularly from the Freedom Caucus, threatened to abstain from the vote in protest over the compromise reached by party leaders. Five GOP members even attempted to delay the initial vote, causing hours-long setbacks on Wednesday. The fragile Republican majority meant even minor dissent had major consequences.

To gain support, Trump and Johnson reportedly held intense negotiations with GOP holdouts. While they were able to secure enough cooperation to move forward with debate, the final vote was still delayed as Jeffries continued his floor speech Thursday morning.

The legislation, which already passed the Senate, includes provisions to raise the debt ceiling, adjust Medicaid cost-sharing, and revise tax policies. Democrats are largely united in opposition, using delay tactics since they lack the votes to block the bill outright.

Trump took to Truth Social to rally support, declaring the bill a bipartisan victory that would result in lower taxes, higher wages, and a stronger military. He urged House Republicans to unite and pass the bill before the July 4th holiday.

Despite fierce opposition, the GOP remains determined to pass Trump’s sweeping legislation, with debate and procedural maneuvering continuing in the House.