Image Credit: X account @WhiteHouse
Senate Narrowly Advances Trump’s “Big Beautiful” Tax-Spending Bill
President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending legislation has crossed a critical procedural hurdle in the U.S. Senate, passing by a narrow 51–49 vote. Branded the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” by the president, the 940-page proposal now heads into a tense final stretch as the GOP scrambles to unify ahead of a full vote before July 4.
The bill proposes to permanently extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, scrap taxes on tips and overtime pay, boost defense and border security funding, and roll back Biden-era clean energy incentives. To offset some of the costs, it includes a $25 billion rural hospital relief fund and introduces a temporary $40,000 cap on SALT deductions for middle-income taxpayers.
However, the legislation also calls for sweeping cuts to social safety nets, including Medicaid and SNAP, while approving a $5 trillion increase in the federal debt ceiling—fueling criticism from both political opponents and fiscal conservatives.
GOP Rifts on Full Display
Two Republican senators, Rand Paul and Thom Tillis, voted against advancing the bill. Paul condemned the massive debt expansion, while Tillis voiced concern over Medicaid cuts affecting his constituents. Their dissent laid bare the internal GOP fractures over how far to go with entitlement rollbacks in exchange for tax and regulatory reform.
Trump’s Ultimatum to Dissenters
President Trump issued a stern warning on social media, calling opposition to the bill “the ultimate betrayal.” He hinted at endorsing primary challengers against non-compliant Republicans, signaling he will actively campaign against party members seen as obstructing his agenda.
Democrats Prepare to Fight
Democratic leaders are preparing parliamentary delay tactics, including demanding a full reading of the entire bill on the Senate floor, a procedural move that could consume several hours. They argue the legislation would gut healthcare access and balloon the national deficit while favoring corporations and the wealthy.
High Stakes for the GOP
The Congressional Budget Office has warned the bill could add as much as $2.8 trillion to the national debt over ten years, while stripping healthcare benefits from millions. Despite that, Trump loyalists in the Senate are pushing for swift passage, hoping to cement the bill as a signature achievement heading into the 2026 midterm cycle.
