President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax overhaul and spending cuts package—dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”—has cleared the Senate in a dramatic 50-50 vote, broken by Vice President JD Vance, and now faces an uncertain final test in the House.
What’s Next for the Bill
The legislation returns to the House with major revisions—especially to Medicaid and federal reimbursements—after a marathon Senate session that stretched through the night. House Speaker Mike Johnson signaled urgency, warning the Senate not to stray far from the original bill passed in May, which cleared the lower chamber by just one vote.
The House Rules Committee is meeting Tuesday afternoon to determine debate structure and amendment rules, while a full vote is scheduled for Wednesday morning—just in time for Trump’s July 4 deadline.
“We’re ready to finish the job,” Johnson said after the Senate vote.
But the road ahead remains treacherous. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) now estimates the Senate version would add $3.3 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade—nearly $1 trillion more than the House version—potentially driving away fiscally conservative Republicans who barely supported the bill last time.
Senate Vote: A Night of Turmoil and Twists
The Senate’s narrow passage followed intense GOP infighting. Three Republicans—Thom Tillis (NC), Susan Collins (ME), and Rand Paul (KY)—opposed the bill. Paul sarcastically dubbed it the “Big Not-So-Beautiful Bill” and slammed its inclusion of a $5 trillion debt ceiling increase.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune worked late into the night, juggling demands from moderates alarmed by cuts to safety net programs and conservatives pushing for even deeper reductions.
The 940-page legislation imposes $1.2 trillion in spending cuts—primarily targeting Medicaid and food stamps—and imposes new work requirements on able-bodied adults, including some seniors and parents. It also adjusts how states are reimbursed for Medicaid spending, raising concerns in rural states.
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) held out until GOP leaders agreed to protect Alaskans from food stamp reductions and ensure improved rural hospital reimbursements. Still, after voting yes, she urged the House to make further revisions.
“We’re not there yet,” Murkowski said, calling on the House to send the bill back again if needed.
Democratic Resistance and Criticism
Senate Democrats attempted to stall the bill, demanding a public reading of the full text and filing dozens of amendments. One successful Democratic amendment removed a clause barring states from regulating artificial intelligence if they received certain federal funds.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the bill as “wildly unpopular,” citing the CBO’s projection that 11.8 million more Americans would become uninsured if the legislation becomes law.
“Republicans are in shambles because they know the bill is so unpopular,” Schumer said.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) denounced the GOP’s math as “magical,” blasting Republicans for excluding the cost of Trump’s extended 2017 tax cuts from their deficit calculations.
Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) went further on X:
“Senate Republicans just passed Trump’s bullsh*t of a bill—and it’s even uglier than before… Democrats will be holding the line—because somebody has to fight for the folks they’re so quick to leave behind.”
What’s Inside the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’
Key features of the bill include:
- $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, including a provision eliminating federal taxes on tips
- Extension of the 2017 Trump tax cuts, which are set to expire this year
- Rollback of billions in green energy credits, alarming environmental advocates
- $350 billion for border security and deportation infrastructure, funded in part by immigration-related fees
- Deep Medicaid cuts and tightened work eligibility requirements for safety net programs
- Altered federal reimbursements to states, raising concerns in rural areas
Some of Trump’s allies, including Senators Rick Scott, Mike Lee, Ron Johnson, and Cynthia Lummis, pushed for even steeper Medicaid reductions. The group met with Thune shortly before the vote to demand last-minute concessions.
Trump’s Reaction and Broader Backlash
Speaking during a visit to a new migrant detention center in Florida—nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz”—Trump praised the bill, saying it has “something for everyone.”
“It’s a great bill… I think it’s going to go very nicely in the House,” he told reporters.
But criticism came not just from Democrats. Elon Musk slammed the bill on social media, calling the GOP the “PORKY PIG PARTY!!” for combining massive tax cuts with a ballooning debt ceiling.
Final Push Ahead of July 4
With the clock ticking, the bill now faces its final hurdle in the House, where even minor defections could derail Trump’s top domestic priority. While the White House is pushing hard for swift passage, divisions within the GOP and vocal opposition from Democrats ensure that the fireworks on Capitol Hill may continue well past Independence Day.
