Defying the laws of political gravity, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) wrangled a razor-thin Republican majority to pass the president’s “one big, beautiful bill” by a single-vote margin. The 215-214 score included most House Republicans, ranging from the SALT RINOs, or Republicans in name only, representing blue state districts to Freedom Caucus fiscal hawks.

The outcome was enabled by the macabre misfortune of three House Democrats dying since the 119th Congress opened on Jan. 3. Johnson fulfilled his promise that by Memorial Day, the House would do its part to cement President Donald Trump‘s legacy. The speaker has left Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) more than a month to deliver his chamber’s version of the reconciliation bill by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent‘s deadline of July 4.