Trump’s spending bill heads to Senate where Republicans plan strategic adjustments to key provisions
Senate Republicans are gearing up for a debate next week that could bring major changes to the “Big, Beautiful Bill.” One of the key areas of contention is the state and local tax deductions, known as SALT, which House Republicans from California and New York are pushing to keep intact.
While almost no Senate Republicans are concerned about SALT, Rep. Mike Lawler of New York has made it clear that he will oppose the bill if the Senate decides to strip this deduction. On the other hand, fiscal hawks are advocating for further changes to Medicaid to achieve additional savings. However, Senators Josh Hawley of Missouri and Jim Justice of West Virginia, representing states with high percentages of constituents on Medicaid, are likely to push back against these proposed changes.
In a separate development, House Republicans are advocating for spending cancellations as Elon Musk and conservatives demand deeper budget cuts. This push for budget cuts is likely to face opposition from lawmakers like Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who is looking to alter the no-tax-on-tips provision, arguing that it unfairly targets workers outside of tipped industries.
The Senate may also decide to cut House provisions on artificial intelligence and federal judges, as these policy issues do not align with special Senate budget rules. This move could set the stage for further debate and negotiation between the two chambers of Congress.
In the midst of these debates and discussions, Republican lawmakers remain firm against Musk’s “Kill the Bill” assault on Trump’s agenda. It remains to be seen how these various interests and priorities will play out in the final version of the bill.
Chad Pergram, a senior congressional correspondent for FOX News Channel, will continue to provide updates on the ongoing debate and negotiations in Washington, D.C. Stay tuned for the latest developments on this crucial legislative process.
