Senate Republicans advance Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ in major victory

Senate Republicans have achieved a major victory in their efforts to pass President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.” The bill, which is packed with Republican priorities such as funding for the Pentagon, bolstering border security, and making the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent, has been successfully advanced by nearly all Republican senators.

Despite some opposition from Senators Thom Tillis, Rand Paul, and Susan Collins, the bill was ultimately pushed through with Vice President JD Vance’s tie-breaking vote. This comes after Republican leaders worked to secure the necessary votes by making amendments to the bill, including sweeteners for key holdouts like Collins and Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Now that the bill has passed the Senate, it heads to the House where some members, particularly those in the House Freedom Caucus, have expressed concerns about the level of spending cuts and the impact on programs like Medicaid. However, Republican leaders are determined to have the bill on Trump’s desk by Friday.

House Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson, have called on the Senate to make as few changes as possible to ensure swift passage in the House. House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith expressed optimism about the bill and emphasized the importance of balance in the final version.

The road to passing the bill has been fraught with drama, from Senate Democrats’ attempts to delay the legislation to last-minute deals and amendments to secure key votes. The bill is expected to turbocharge the economy, prevent the expiration of Trump’s tax cuts, and achieve deep spending cuts of around $1.5 trillion.

While Senate Democrats have criticized the bill for its potential impact on Medicaid and the federal deficit, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has pushed back, accusing Democrats of hypocrisy when it comes to spending. Despite the opposition, Senate Republicans have remained steadfast in their support for the bill.

As the bill moves to the House and ultimately to Trump’s desk, the focus remains on getting it passed quickly and intact. The intense negotiations and debates surrounding the bill highlight the complexities and challenges of legislating in a deeply divided political environment.