Trump’s Tax Bill Faces GOP Division Ahead of July 4 Deadline
The U.S. Senate is in a race against time as Senate Majority Leader John Thune tries to push forward President Donald Trump’s massive tax and spending bill before the July 4 deadline. This bill, which includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and $1.2 trillion in spending reductions, is now at the center of intense debate among Republicans. Some GOP senators are fully behind the bill, while others have serious concerns.
This Daily news highlight shows how divided the Republican party is and how the pressure is rising with only days left before Trump’s requested deadline.
Key Points from the Ongoing Senate Battle
- GOP Leaders Have Limited Room for Error
Senator John Thune can afford to lose only three Republican votes. With 53 GOP senators in the chamber, and Vice President JD Vance available to break a tie, every vote matters. Two Republican senators — Thom Tillis from North Carolina and Rand Paul from Kentucky — already voted against the bill in a procedural vote. If they vote “no” again, Thune can only afford to lose one more. - Different Factions Want Opposite Things
The Republican party is split on what the bill should look like:
- Some senators want deeper spending cuts, especially to health programs like Medicaid.
- Others, like Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Thom Tillis, are pushing to protect Medicaid and slow down the reduction of renewable energy tax credits, which help create jobs in their states.
- Senator Ron Johnson and his allies want to increase the Medicaid cuts to reduce the overall size of the bill.
This internal conflict is making it very hard to reach a final agreement.
- Trump Is Watching Closely — and Reacting Publicly
President Trump is putting heavy pressure on Senate Republicans. After Thom Tillis voted no in a key vote, Trump attacked him on social media, calling him “a talker and complainer, NOT A DOER.” He also criticized Rand Paul for not supporting the bill. Trump has made it clear he wants the bill passed fast and by July 4. He has not focused on the details, but he is demanding results. - Public Support Is Weak
Polls show that many Americans are unsure about the bill. A recent Pew Research study found that:
- 49% of Americans oppose the bill,
- 29% support it,
- and 21% are undecided.
The biggest concern is the possible loss of health insurance. According to the Congressional Budget Office, around 11.8 million Americans could lose Medicaid coverage over the next ten years if the current version of the bill becomes law.
What’s Next for the Bill?
A long voting session — called a “vote-a-rama” — is set to begin Monday. During this session, senators will vote on many amendments. This could take 12 hours or longer. It’s a crucial step to win enough support to pass the final bill.
If the Senate approves the bill, the House of Representatives will then vote on it. Speaker Mike Johnson will have to convince House Republicans to support the Senate’s version. Some House members have already said they don’t like parts of the bill. But making further changes would mean missing the July 4 deadline — something that could anger Trump.
Senate Split on Trump Tax Bill
This is a major Breaking News story as the Senate faces one of the most important votes of 2025. President Trump’s tax-and-spending plan is popular with some Republicans, but not all. With the July 4 deadline fast approaching, GOP leaders are working around the clock to unite their party and pass the bill. If they succeed, it will be a major win for Trump. If they fail, it could spark more political battles within the Republican party.
