Thune pushes Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ toward July 4 amid GOP divisions

Senate Majority Leader John Thune is facing challenges within his own party as he works to push President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” through Congress. Thune remains optimistic, however, that the legislation will make it to the president’s desk by July 4.

Thune is working with Senate Republicans to finalize the bill, which includes making Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent, healthcare changes, energy credits, and spending cuts. Despite facing pushback from some members of his party, Thune is determined to move forward with the bill.

Senator Ron Johnson and other fiscal hawks are pushing for deeper spending cuts in the bill, while Senators Susan Collins, Josh Hawley, and Lisa Murkowski are concerned about changes to Medicaid. Thune must navigate these various concerns to secure enough votes for the bill to pass.

Thune is working to find a balance that satisfies all factions within the Senate GOP while also aligning with the White House’s priorities. He has been meeting with individual senators to address their concerns and is open to making changes to the bill to garner support.

One key issue is the provider tax rate in Medicaid, which has been a point of contention among senators. Thune is working to ensure that rural hospitals and healthcare providers are not negatively impacted by changes to the program.

While the Senate bill will need to be approved by the House, Thune is confident that any changes made in the Senate will be well-received. He is working with House Republicans on issues like the state and local tax deduction cap to find a compromise that works for both chambers.

As negotiations continue, the Senate Parliamentarian is reviewing each section of the bill to ensure it complies with the Byrd Rule. Thune has made it clear that he will not override the parliamentarian’s decisions and is committed to following the reconciliation process.

Thune is determined to see Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” through to completion, despite the challenges he faces within his own party. By working with his fellow senators and the White House, he is hopeful that the legislation will pass and deliver on key priorities for the administration.