The Senate took a significant step on Saturday by voting to begin debate on President Trump’s massive spending bill, often referred to as the “big beautiful” bill. This vote, which passed narrowly with a 51-49 margin, followed hours of discussions among Republican leaders to secure enough support for the lengthy 940-page document.
Despite the bill’s advancement, it faced opposition from two Republican senators, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Rand Paul of Kentucky, who chose to side with Democrats in an effort to block it. Their dissent highlights the divisions within the Republican Party regarding this legislation. Interestingly, Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson initially voted against the bill but changed his vote just before the final tally.
Vice President JD Vance was present at the Capitol and prepared to cast a tie-breaking vote if necessary, as Republicans struggled to maintain unity during the lengthy proceedings. The debate on the spending bill is expected to be extensive, particularly since Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has indicated he plans to have the entire bill read aloud before a final vote.
Trump has been pushing for a quick passage of this bill, aiming to have it on his desk by July 4. The proposed legislation includes several key provisions, such as making Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, increasing funding for border security, and rolling back green-energy tax credits established in the previous administration.
The bill also requires raising the debt ceiling by about $5 trillion to accommodate all its provisions. Earlier on Saturday, Trump warned Republican senators that failing to support the bill would be seen as a betrayal, and he specifically criticized Tillis on social media, suggesting he might face a primary challenge in the next election.
The latest version of the bill, which was released to senators late Friday night, retains many elements approved by the House in May but also introduces significant changes, particularly affecting Medicaid programs. It proposes a delay in reducing federal spending for Medicaid, which is crucial for rural hospitals, and includes a $25 billion fund to assist rural providers from 2028 to 2032.
Other changes include raising the cap on federal deductions for state and local taxes (SALT) to $40,000, with adjustments for inflation through 2029, before reverting to the current $10,000 cap. Additionally, the bill removes a proposed tax on foreign companies and accelerates the phase-out of renewable energy tax credits.
This legislative effort is not without controversy. Some Republican senators from states that would be impacted by these changes have expressed their concerns. Following the Senate’s approval, the House will need to revisit the bill to approve the modifications made by the Senate. As this process unfolds, all eyes will be on how the final version shapes up and whether it can garner enough support to become law.