The Senate is gearing up for a significant showdown over President Donald Trump’s "Big, Beautiful Bill." This legislative effort, which was unveiled by Senate Republicans late Friday night, is facing a tough road ahead. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, is determined to slow down the process by forcing clerks to read the entire 940-page bill aloud on the Senate floor.
Schumer’s strategy aims to buy time for Democrats to analyze the bill’s provisions. He has stated that he will not allow Republicans to move forward without a full reading. This could take up to 15 hours, during which Democrats will scrutinize the bill while Republicans push for a final vote. The reading will happen after a key procedural vote to open debate on the legislation.
Once the reading concludes, there will be 20 hours of debate split evenly between the two parties. Democrats are expected to use their full 10 hours, while Republicans might finish their time much sooner. Following this debate, the Senate will enter a "vote-a-rama" phase, where lawmakers can propose an unlimited number of amendments to the bill.
Schumer is making it clear that he wants to ensure transparency and accountability regarding what’s in the bill. He has publicly criticized Republicans for not disclosing its contents, saying, "Republicans won’t tell America what’s in the bill." His insistence on reading the bill in its entirety is a move to highlight the stakes involved and to challenge the GOP’s approach.
The last time a bill was read aloud in the Senate was in 2021 when Republicans demanded the reading of a major relief package. At that time, Schumer was in a different position, trying to speed up the passage of President Biden’s agenda.
As the debate unfolds, both parties will be watching closely. Republicans have their own divisions to manage, particularly regarding key provisions related to Medicaid and land sales. With tensions high and the stakes significant, this legislative battle is set to be a pivotal moment in the Senate.