WASHINGTON, July 3 (Reuters) - Republicans in the House of Representatives advanced U.S. President Donald Trump 's massive tax-cut and spending bill toward a final yes-or-no vote early Thursday morning, appearing to overcome internal party divisions over its cost.

On July 3, Fitzpatrick was the only Republican opposed to the rule that set up a straight up-or-down vote on the Senate's version of the bill. The near unanimity came after Trump hosted skeptical lawmakers at the White House to answer their questions, worked the phones overnight and cheered the vote through social media.

Flanked by Republican legislators and members of his Cabinet, Trump signed the multitrillion-dollar legislation at a desk on the White House driveway, then banged down a gavel gifted to him by House Speaker Mike Johnson that was used during the bill’s final passage Thursday.