WASHINGTON – June 29, 2025 — The Senate has officially entered a marathon legislative session to debate President Donald Trump’s expansive tax and spending bill, a sweeping proposal that aims to reshape major sectors of the federal government including taxes, Medicaid, and immigration enforcement.
The Republican-backed bill cleared a major procedural hurdle Saturday night in a narrow 51–49 vote after hours of behind-the-scenes negotiations. However, final passage remains uncertain amid internal GOP divisions, Democratic opposition, and looming fiscal concerns. The White House has set a goal of getting the bill finalized before the July 4 holiday.
Key Elements of the Bill
- Extends Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, set to expire at year-end.
- Introduces new tax breaks for tipped income and overtime pay.
- Imposes stricter Medicaid eligibility, including work requirements.
- Allocates $150 billion for border enforcement and detention infrastructure.
- Raises the federal debt ceiling by $5 trillion.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill would add $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade. If Trump’s full tax-cut extension is factored in, that figure rises to $4 trillion.
Senate Procedural Drama
Following Saturday’s vote to proceed, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) forced Senate clerks to read the entire 940-page bill aloud, a process that took nearly 28 hours and delayed further action.
Now, up to 20 hours of formal debate will unfold—split between parties—before the Senate enters a “vote-a-rama,” where lawmakers consider dozens of amendments in rapid succession.
Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) admitted uncertainty about whether Republicans have the votes to pass the bill outright.
“We’ll find out,” Thune said Sunday.
Dissent Within GOP Ranks
Two GOP senators—Rand Paul (Ky.) and Thom Tillis (N.C.)—opposed advancing the bill. Tillis later announced he would not seek reelection in 2026, citing dissatisfaction with the current political climate.
Trump responded on Truth Social: “Great News! ‘Senator’ Thom Tillis will not be seeking reelection.”
Paul objected to the bill's fiscal impact, while Tillis expressed concerns over deep Medicaid cuts projected to cost North Carolina tens of billions.
Trump, Allies, and Opponents Weigh In
Trump has endorsed the bill and supports the Senate's procedural maneuvers to discount the costs of tax extensions—criticized by Democrats as “fake math.”
“We are doing something historic,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), chair of the Budget Committee. “This gives certainty to the economy.”
However, billionaire Elon Musk, formerly an adviser to Trump, blasted the legislation as “political suicide” and warned it could destroy millions of jobs by diverting resources from future-facing industries.
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) called the bill a “s--- sandwich,” describing it as “a collection of the worst policies.”
Provisions Sparking Debate
Medicaid Cuts: The Senate version retains work requirements of 80 hours per month and mandates stricter eligibility checks, although it exempts parents of young children and individuals with disabilities. Provisions that barred funding for non-citizens and gender-affirming care were removed by Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough.
Senior Tax Relief: Seniors earning below $75,000 (single) or $150,000 (joint) would receive a $6,000 bonus deduction through 2028—an enhancement to the standard deduction.
Debt and Fiscal Policy: Critics have decried the bill’s addition to the deficit, while supporters argue the economic growth it spurs will compensate in the long run.
Public Response: Polls indicate widespread public skepticism. Democrats have labeled it a giveaway to the wealthy at the expense of low-income Americans, citing cuts to Medicaid, school lunch programs, and food assistance.
What's Next?
The Senate is expected to vote on final passage no earlier than June 30. If passed, the bill returns to the House for final approval. President Trump has signaled his readiness to sign the bill into law.
Read the Full Text of the Bill
You can read the full legislative text here: House Bill 1 - 119th Congress
Source: usatoday.com
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