Senate Republicans are working hard this weekend to push through a major tax and spending bill that reflects much of President Trump’s agenda. GOP leaders are racing to secure enough votes to meet the president’s goal of having the bill signed into law by July 4. NPR congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh reported from the Capitol on the latest developments.
Last night, Republicans faced challenges even getting the debate started on the bill. A key procedural vote took over three hours as party leaders tried to win over some hesitant members. Currently, the Senate is in the middle of debating the bill and will soon begin considering amendments. However, some Republicans, like Susan Collins from Maine, are still undecided on how they will vote on the final version. The GOP can only afford to lose three votes, which adds pressure to the situation.
Two Republicans who voted to advance the bill expressed their concerns. Rand Paul from Kentucky opposes the plan to increase the debt limit by $5 trillion, while Thom Tillis from North Carolina worries that cuts to Medicaid will shift costs to his state.
President Trump has been using his influence to encourage party members to support the bill, even threatening primary challenges against those who oppose it. In a surprising move, Tillis announced he will not seek reelection, just a day after Trump criticized him online for his stance on the bill. Tillis stated that leaders who support bipartisanship and independent thinking are becoming rare in the party.
The bill, which Trump refers to as a "Big, Beautiful Bill," has significant financial implications. According to the Congressional Budget Office, it could add $3.3 trillion to the deficit over the next decade. The legislation aims to make the tax cuts from 2017 permanent and introduces new tax breaks. However, to fund these cuts, it proposes substantial changes to the Medicaid program, potentially affecting coverage for nearly 12 million people.
As the Senate continues to debate, the key issue remains Medicaid. Some conservative Republicans support amendments that would cut the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, while more moderate Republicans, like Lisa Murkowski and Collins, oppose any further changes to the program. The resolution of this conflict will likely determine whether the bill passes.
If the bill does pass the Senate, it may face a tough road in the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson has a slim majority. Some House conservatives are already voicing concerns about the proposed changes.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the Senate to see if they can finalize this significant piece of legislation.