The U.S. Senate is set to take up a significant piece of legislation that aims to enact President Trump’s domestic policy priorities. This follows the House’s narrow approval of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" in May. The bill proposes tax cuts, increased military spending, and cuts to Medicaid, which has sparked debate among Republicans.
On April 10, 2025, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune spoke to reporters at the Capitol, highlighting the urgency of the legislation. The Senate plans to vote on this bill soon, but some Republican senators are expressing concerns about its cost. They worry it could add trillions to the national debt.
The House bill, which passed with a slim majority, aims to extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts and includes provisions that would pause taxes on tips and overtime for the duration of his term. However, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the tax changes could increase the deficit by about $3.8 trillion over the next decade. This estimate has drawn criticism from both the White House and some Republican lawmakers.
Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin has voiced strong opposition to the bill, calling it "completely unsustainable." He plans to hold a hearing to discuss its implications before the Senate vote. Similarly, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky believes there is enough opposition among Republicans to warrant changes to the bill before it is passed.
The bill also proposes significant cuts to Medicaid, which has raised alarms among some Republicans. Critics argue that the proposed changes, which include new work requirements and a reduction in enrollment periods, could harm vulnerable populations. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri has publicly stated that cuts to Medicaid are both morally wrong and politically risky.
The Senate’s process for reviewing the bill is complicated by a rule known as the Byrd Rule. This rule allows senators to propose amendments to remove parts of the bill that do not significantly affect the budget. As a result, certain non-budgetary measures, such as those related to gun regulation and AI policies, could be at risk of being stripped from the bill.
Despite these challenges, Republicans are hopeful they can pass the legislation and send it to President Trump by the Fourth of July. The outcome remains uncertain as debates continue over the bill’s impact on the deficit and its provisions affecting healthcare.