Trump’s budget plan keeping Congress members up all night

President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have set a policy agenda that is keeping Democrats up at night. Literally. The recent overnight session in the Senate saw Democrats trying to oppose the GOP’s budget package in an effort to resist the president’s agenda.

During the marathon voting session, Democrats forced two dozen votes on a variety of issues, from deficits and debt to public lands and tax cuts. However, Republicans shut down every Democratic proposal, leading to a 52-48 vote in favor of the GOP’s budget framework just before dawn.

The long night of voting presented an opportunity for Democrats to challenge Republicans on key issues and put them on the spot with tough votes. Some amendments were even crafted with specific senators in mind, especially those facing competitive re-election bids.

Despite their efforts, Democrats were unable to derail the GOP’s budget plan, which includes increased spending on the military and border security, as well as tax cuts. Senator Rand Paul was the lone Republican to vote against the budget framework, arguing that it would lead to higher federal spending.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer claimed that the overnight session exposed Republicans’ true colors and political vulnerabilities. However, with the House now set to approve its own plan, which aligns with the Senate package but emphasizes tax cuts, the road ahead remains challenging.

The House, where Republicans hold a narrow majority, must also pass the budget plan in order to advance the package through budget reconciliation. This process will require both chambers to align their plans and vote on a final measure before moving to the actual bill.

As the House and Senate work to merge their respective plans, they must also navigate a potential government shutdown deadline on March 14. The outcome of this bill could impact the overall spending goals outlined in the budget package, adding another layer of complexity to the legislative process.

While the recent overnight session was significant, it is clear that there are many long nights ahead as lawmakers continue to wrestle with the president’s policy agenda. The path to a “big, beautiful bill” is far from over, with numerous challenges and hurdles still to overcome in the coming months.