President Trump is confident after Capitol Hill talks, but Democrats accuse Republicans of rushing the bill through under the cover of darkness

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, a key House Republican committee convened a tense session to debate President Donald Trump’s ambitious domestic policy bill — a critical step toward securing the legislation’s passage on the House floor. Trump, fresh from a meeting with House Republicans on Capitol Hill, expressed optimism about the bill’s prospects despite lingering divisions over funding and policy priorities.

One major point of contention is Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defence project. The President confidently stated it would be completed by the end of his term, a forecast that military officials have previously questioned. The ambitious programme is central to Trump’s national security vision, but critics remain sceptical about its feasibility and timeline.

The committee meeting was marked by sharp exchanges over budget cuts, particularly in health policy. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Health and Human Services Secretary, clashed with a senior Democrat over proposed reductions to HHS funding, which threaten to delay a high-profile National Institutes of Health cancer trial. The sparring highlighted the wider partisan divide on the bill’s social and health provisions.

The timing of the session drew particular criticism. The House Rules Committee met at 1 a.m. Eastern Time, prompting outrage from Democrats who accused Republicans of trying to rush the bill through “in the dead of night.” Rep. Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the committee, questioned the GOP’s secrecy and urgency.

“What are Republicans so afraid of?” McGovern asked. “If you’re proud of this bill, why hide it under the cover of darkness?” His comments underscored Democratic concerns that the bill’s controversial elements might be overlooked by the public and some lawmakers due to the late hour.

House Rules Committee Chair Virginia Foxx defended the schedule, pointing to the long hours Republicans have worked to advance Trump’s agenda. She also noted that Democrats have previously convened early-morning sessions during their own major legislative pushes.

Foxx confirmed a “manager’s amendment” — a package of changes and concessions expected to be unveiled before the bill reaches the floor — but said she could not provide a timeline for when it would be ready. This uncertainty adds to the sense of unpredictability surrounding the bill’s final form.

The domestic policy bill covers a broad range of priorities central to Trump’s vision, from economic reform and defence spending to healthcare adjustments and social policy tweaks. Its passage would represent a major legislative victory for the President, but risks deepening partisan divisions in an already fractious Congress.

As debate continues into Wednesday, all eyes are on whether Republicans can unify behind the bill and whether Democrats can mount effective opposition, both inside committee rooms and on the House floor. The late-night hearings and contentious negotiations signal that the stakes remain high for Trump’s administration and the future of domestic policy in Washington.