In today’s Daily news highlights, Senate Republicans narrowly approved a massive, 1,000-page bill supporting President Trump’s policies. The bill cleared the first hurdle with a 51-49 vote, despite opposition from two Republicans.
Vote Overview
- Final vote count: 51 in favor, 49 against
- GOP opposition:
- Sen. Rand Paul (KY) voted “no” — he opposes a $5 trillion debt limit increase.
- Sen. Thom Tillis (NC) voted “no” — he warns the bill could slash Medicaid funding in his state.
- Switching votes:
- Sen. Ron Johnson (WI) changed from “no” to “yes.”
- Sens. Mike Lee (UT), Rick Scott (FL), and Cynthia Lummis (WY) also voted “yes,” enabling the bill to advance.
Chaos Before the Vote
- Some GOP senators were late or missing, causing delays in the 50-minute pre-vote waiting period.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune and GOP whips surrounded absent senators like Lisa Murkowski to persuade them in person.
- Senator Murkowski eventually arrived and voted “yes,” but the voting process was tense and stretched over three hours.
Key Changes and Amendments
- The bill nearly collapsed when the Senate parliamentarian ruled a health-care tax cap broke the Byrd Rule. GOP leaders adjusted the language to comply.
- Sen. Tim Sheehy (MT) nearly voted “no” over a plan from Sen. Mike Lee to sell public lands. He changed his mind after GOP leaders promised an amendment vote to remove that language.
Main Elements of the Bill
- Border security: $160 billion allocated to enforce immigration laws.
- Defense funding: $150 billion boost to the Pentagon.
- Tax benefits:
- Extension of 2017 Trump-era tax cuts
- Elimination of taxes on tips and overtime
- Deduction for auto loan interest on U.S.-made vehicles
Senator Thune called this a “once-in-a-generation” chance to strengthen America.
Medicaid Cuts Spark Warnings
- A draft from the Congressional Budget Office estimates up to $930 billion in Medicaid cuts, more severe than previous proposals.
- Sen. Tillis said the cuts could “force North Carolina to reduce or remove Medicaid aid for hundreds of thousands.”
- Sen. Susan Collins (ME) voted to proceed but said changes are needed before final approval. She called it a matter of “deference” to leadership, not an agreement on substance.
Strong Opposition
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) called the bill “even worse” than previous drafts. He criticized:
- Deep Medicaid and SNAP cuts
- The lack of an official CBO estimate before voting
- Billionaire Elon Musk denounced it on X as “handouts to outdated industries” like oil, coal, and gas.
What Happens Now?
- The Senate will debate the bill, possibly through the night, and enter a “vote-a-rama” phase with numerous amendments.
- President Trump set a July 4 deadline for the bill to reach his desk.
What to Watch
- Will amendments ease concerns about Medicaid, public lands, or tax giveaways?
- Will Republicans maintain unity, or will divisions deepen?
- The true impact on the national deficit remains unclear without a full CBO report.
This Breaking News vote moves the bill closer to full approval, but serious hurdles remain. With deep Medicaid cuts and late-night negotiations on the horizon, this cornerstone of Trump’s agenda faces a turbulent path ahead.
