Trump pushes Senate GOP to finish ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ despite budget hurdles
Senate Republicans are on track to approve the “Big, Beautiful Bill” in the coming week if everything goes according to plan. The Senate has been working tirelessly over the weekend, with senators, staff, and budget referees collaborating to determine the contents of the bill while ensuring compliance with special budget rules.
One of the key inclusions in the bill is a decadelong freeze on local and state AI rules. However, plans to reduce food assistance and shift the costs to states have been scrapped, a move that could potentially help garner the support of GOP moderates like Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
Despite progress on various fronts, there are still concerns surrounding certain aspects of the bill. Issues such as the deduction for state and local taxes (SALT), the treatment of rural hospitals, Medicaid, and overall spending cuts remain points of contention. Conservative members of the Senate, led by Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, are pushing for additional deficit reduction measures.
The recent airstrikes against Iran have only strengthened Senator Johnson’s resolve to vote against the bill unless further cuts are included. The focus on deficit reduction continues to be a sticking point for many conservative lawmakers.
President Donald Trump has maintained his focus on the bill amidst overseas military activities. He took to Truth Social to emphasize the “unity” within the Republican Party and the importance of passing the “Great Big Beautiful Bill.”
Senate Republicans are aiming to commence debate on the bill mid-week, with hopes of wrapping up discussions over the weekend. However, aligning the versions of the legislation between the House and Senate before July 4 remains a challenge.
Chad Pergram, a senior congressional correspondent for FOX News Channel, has been closely monitoring the developments surrounding the “Big, Beautiful Bill.” Based in Washington, D.C., Pergram provides valuable insights into the legislative process and the dynamics at play within Congress.
