The Senate is gearing up for a rare weekend session as Republicans work to push through President Donald Trump’s tax and spending plan before the July Fourth deadline. The bill, which spans 940 pages, aims to extend approximately $3.8 trillion in tax breaks while cutting spending on programs like Medicaid and food stamps.
Despite having a majority, Republicans are facing challenges. Not all GOP senators agree with the proposed cuts to vital programs, leading to some dissent within the party. The plan is designed to offset the costs of the tax breaks, but it has sparked debate among lawmakers about the impact on those who rely on these services.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed that the legislation is still evolving as they prepare for a procedural vote. Senators will engage in at least 10 hours of debate and an all-night session to discuss numerous amendments. The timeline for passing the bill could stretch for days, and if it clears the Senate, it will need to return to the House for final approval.
Trump has emphasized the importance of this legislation, urging Congress to finalize it. He recently criticized GOP senators who are hesitant to support the bill, calling them “grandstanders.” He believes that a successful vote would be a significant achievement for the country.
The bill aims to make many tax breaks from Trump’s first term permanent, preventing potential tax increases for Americans. It also proposes new tax breaks, including eliminating taxes on tips, and allocates $350 billion for national security, which includes funding for his immigration policies.
However, the proposed spending cuts have raised concerns among some Republicans. Senators like Thom Tillis of North Carolina have voiced their opposition to the plan, stating they will not support the motion to begin debate. Others, like Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, are pushing for deeper cuts and want to review the final text before committing.
As the weekend session unfolds, Republicans are also revising proposals that faced scrutiny from the Senate parliamentarian. These include changes to food stamp funding and adjustments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s budget.
The final draft of the bill includes a contentious proposal to cut a tax that supports Medicaid providers, which has drawn criticism from senators worried about rural hospitals. In response, the bill has set up a $25 billion fund to help these facilities.
The Congressional Budget Office has projected that under the House version of the bill, about 10.9 million more people could lose health care coverage, with millions more facing cuts to food assistance. Wealthier Americans would see significant tax cuts, while lower-income individuals might face a financial burden.
Another point of contention is the SALT provision, which concerns state and local tax deductions. The Senate has proposed a compromise to raise the cap to $40,000 for five years, but some lawmakers feel this is still too generous.
As the deadline approaches, House Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated that they are close to finalizing the bill. With narrow majorities in both chambers, every Republican vote is crucial for passage. Johnson and Thune are closely coordinating with the White House to ensure that holdout lawmakers are brought on board.