The fate of a significant bill in the Senate is still up in the air as Republicans struggle to agree on its details. Vice-President JD Vance made a trip to the Capitol over the weekend, ready to cast a tiebreaking vote if needed. However, party leaders managed to rally enough support without his intervention.
Democrats are planning to slow down the process as a form of protest. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that his party would require Republicans to read the nearly 1,000 pages of the bill aloud before any debate or voting could begin.
In the House of Representatives, some Republicans have voiced concerns about the changes made to the bill in the Senate. This sprawling tax and spending proposal had narrowly passed the House last month by just one vote.
The Senate’s version of the bill included several revisions aimed at addressing internal disagreements among Republicans. Despite this, party leaders faced challenges in securing a majority. The White House has expressed support for the latest changes and urged the Senate to pass the bill, warning that failure to do so would be a major setback.
Notably, some Republicans, including Rand Paul from Kentucky and Thom Tillis from North Carolina, joined Democrats in opposing the bill. President Trump criticized Tillis on his social media platform, suggesting that he would meet with candidates looking to challenge Tillis in the upcoming primaries.
On the other hand, some skeptical Republicans have come around to support the bill, including centrist senators Lisa Murkowski from Alaska and Susan Collins from Maine. Ron Johnson from Wisconsin initially voted against it but switched his vote later in the session.
The revisions to the bill were made to win over some hesitant party members. These amendments also reflect input from the Senate parliamentarian, who ensures that bills meet procedural standards. One significant change includes increased funding for rural hospitals, addressing concerns from moderates about the impact on their constituents. Additionally, the bill modifies the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), temporarily exempting Alaska and Hawaii from a proposed requirement that would shift some costs to states.
Despite these adjustments, the legislation retains key elements, such as extending tax cuts from 2017 and introducing new cuts that Trump campaigned on, including a tax deduction for Social Security benefits and eliminating taxes on overtime work and tips. However, more controversial aspects remain, such as new restrictions on Medicaid, which Democrats argue could limit access to affordable healthcare for millions. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that approximately 7.8 million people could lose their health insurance due to these cuts.
Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington, criticized the bill on social media, calling it a historic reduction in healthcare funding. Elon Musk also weighed in, warning that the bill could lead to job losses and strategic issues for the country, particularly due to proposed taxes on solar and wind energy projects.
To pass, the bill needs a simple majority in the Senate. With Republicans holding 53 seats and the Vice-President’s tiebreaker, they can afford only three defections. As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the Senate floor.