Senate Republicans took an important step late Saturday to pass President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.” The bill includes huge tax cuts and new government spending, but its final approval is still uncertain. Many challenges remain before the bill becomes law.
The Senate voted 51 to 49 to move forward with the bill. This vote lets the Senate start debating the bill and prepares for a final vote, possibly as soon as Monday. But the bill must also go back to the House of Representatives for approval before it can reach the President’s desk.
Key Points About the Bill and Senate Vote
- The bill is very large, with about 1,000 pages. It aims to cut federal taxes, give more money to the Pentagon and border security, and reduce funding for some government safety-net programs like Medicaid.
- Republican Senators Thom Tillis and Rand Paul voted against moving the bill forward. Sen. Ron Johnson first voted no but later changed to yes after talking with GOP leaders.
- Vice President JD Vance came to the Capitol to help Senate leaders convince some Republicans who were not sure about the bill. He was also ready to break a tie vote if needed.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune worked hard with other GOP senators to get enough support. Some tough Republican holdouts, including Mike Lee, Rick Scott, and Cynthia Lummis, eventually agreed to advance the bill.
- Sen. Lisa Murkowski from Alaska agreed to vote yes after some parts were added to the bill to help Alaska, like increasing whaling supply deductions for a special group in her state.
What Happens Next?
Senate Democrats are trying to slow down the process. They are forcing a long reading of the entire bill aloud in the Senate. This reading could take 10 to 15 hours. After the reading, senators will debate the bill. Then comes a long session called “vote-a-rama,” where many amendments will be voted on before the final vote.
President Trump wants the bill signed by July 4, so time is short. GOP leaders, Trump, and White House officials are pushing hard to get the bill passed quickly.
Different Opinions Within the GOP
Some Republicans want changes before they support the bill fully:
- Sen. Susan Collins of Maine says she wants more changes through amendments. She may vote no on the final bill if her demands are not met.
- Sen. Thom Tillis voted no because he worries about the bill’s effects on Medicaid funding for his state.
- Sen. Ron Johnson supports an amendment that would limit Medicaid expansion to save money but has not said if he will back the final bill without it.
President Trump’s Reaction
After the vote, Trump criticized Senators Tillis and Paul for voting against advancing the bill. He said Tillis made a “big mistake” and plans to support others who want to challenge him in future elections.
House Republicans held a short call to discuss the bill. Speaker Mike Johnson asked them not to speak publicly about the Senate bill yet because it might change. Some House Republicans have already spoken out:
- Rep. David Valadao from California said he opposes the Senate bill because of Medicaid changes.
- Rep. Jeff Van Drew from New Jersey also said he does not like the Senate bill and preferred the House version.
Big Challenges Ahead
The Senate now faces a long “vote-a-rama” with many amendment votes. Democrats will use this to challenge Republicans and create political problems for them. This could also be used in future campaign ads.
Sen. Susan Collins’ demands for changes add more uncertainty. Her negotiations and possible amendments will be very important in deciding if the bill passes.
