Senate Begins Debate on Trump’s Big Bill

The Republican-controlled Senate has advanced President Donald Trump’s package of tax breaks, spending cuts, and increased deportation money. The Senate cleared a key procedural step on Saturday as midnight approached, with a 51-49 tally and Vice President JD Vance at the Capitol to break a potential tie.

Voting had come to a standstill, dragging for more than three hours, with holdout senators huddling for negotiations and taking private meetings off the Senate floor. In the end, two Republicans opposed the motion to move ahead on Trump’s signature domestic policy plan, joining all 47 Democrats.

“Tonight we saw a GREAT VICTORY in the Senate,” Trump said in a social media post afterward.

What’s in the Bill?

The legislation is an ambitious but complicated series of GOP priorities. At its core, it would make permanent many of the tax breaks from Trump’s first term that would otherwise expire by year’s end if Congress fails to act, resulting in a potential tax increase on Americans.

The bill would add new breaks, including no taxes on tips, and commit $350 billion to national security, including for Trump’s mass deportation agenda. However, the cutbacks to Medicaid, food stamps, and green energy investments are also causing dissent within GOP ranks.

Republican Setbacks and Revisions

The release of the draft bill had been delayed as the Senate parliamentarian reviewed the bill to ensure it complied with the chamber’s strict “Byrd Rule.” Republicans suffered a series of setbacks after several proposals were deemed out of compliance with the rules.

But over the past days, Republicans have quickly revised those proposals and reinstated them. The final text includes a proposal for cuts to the Medicaid provider tax that had run into parliamentary hurdles and objections from several senators worried about the fate of rural hospitals.

SALT Dispute and Other Issues

The Senate included a compromise over the so-called SALT provision, a deduction for state and local taxes that has been a top priority of lawmakers from New York and other high-tax states. However, the issue remains unsettled, with many Republican senators saying the proposed $40,000 cap is still too generous.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has said that under the House-passed version of the bill, some 10.9 million more people would go without health care and at least 3 million fewer would qualify for food aid. Top income-earners would see about a $12,000 tax cut under the House bill, while the package would cost the poorest Americans $1,600.

Trump’s Deadline Nears

House Speaker Mike Johnson sent his colleagues home for the weekend with plans to be on call to return to Washington. But as the Senate draft was revealed, House GOP support was uncertain, with one Republican, Rep. David Valadao of California, saying he was opposed.

The Senate is expected to grind through the hours of debate and amendments in the days ahead. If the Senate is able to pass the bill, it would go back to the House for a final round of votes before it could reach the White House.

Conclusion

The Senate’s debate on Trump’s big bill is a significant step towards the President’s goal of passing his signature domestic policy plan. However, the bill still faces significant opposition from Democrats and some Republicans, and its fate remains uncertain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Trump’s big bill?

A: Trump’s big bill is a package of tax breaks, spending cuts, and increased deportation money that the President is pushing Congress to pass.

Q: What are the key provisions of the bill?

A: The bill would make permanent many of the tax breaks from Trump’s first term, add new breaks, and commit $350 billion to national security. However, it would also cut back on Medicaid, food stamps, and green energy investments.

Q: Why are some Republicans opposed to the bill?

A: Some Republicans are opposed to the bill because they believe the cuts to Medicaid and other programs go too far, while others are concerned about the impact on the national debt.

Q: What is the SALT provision?

A: The SALT provision is a deduction for state and local taxes that has been a top priority of lawmakers from New York and other high-tax states.

Q: What is the current status of the bill?

A: The Senate has advanced the bill, but it still needs to be passed by the House and signed into law by the President.