The U.S. Senate is preparing for a rare weekend session as Republicans scramble to pass President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending cuts package before his self-imposed July Fourth deadline.
Divisions Within GOP on Spending Cuts
The 940-page bill, released late Friday, includes plans to extend $3.8 trillion in Trump-era tax breaks and introduce new provisions such as eliminating taxes on tips and allocating $350 billion for national security and mass deportation efforts. However, some GOP senators are uneasy about cuts to Medicaid, food stamps, and other safety net programs proposed to offset the cost.
Long Debate Ahead
A procedural vote to begin debate was expected Saturday, though the timeline remained unclear. The bill must survive 10 hours of debate and an overnight voting session on amendments before potentially heading back to the House for final approval.
Resistance From Key Republicans
Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said he won’t support the motion to proceed, citing concerns about the package’s fundamentals. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin is pushing for even deeper cuts and said he needs to review the final legislative text.
Parliamentary Roadblocks and Revisions
The bill has already hit snags with the Senate parliamentarian, who ruled some proposals violated Senate rules. Rejected provisions included a plan to shift food stamp costs to states and major changes to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Republicans quickly rewrote and reintroduced the proposals.
Impact on Health Care and Aid
The revised bill includes a delayed cut to a Medicaid provider tax, paired with a $25 billion fund to help rural hospitals. Critics argue these changes still threaten health care access. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the House version of the bill would leave 10.9 million more Americans uninsured and cut food aid to 3 million people.
Tax Break Disparities
CBO analysis also shows the top earners would receive $12,000 in tax cuts, while the poorest Americans would see a $1,600 tax increase. The Senate’s version is expected to contain steeper reductions, though it has not been formally scored.
SALT Deduction Remains Unresolved
Lawmakers continue to debate the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions. A compromise to raise the cap from $10,000 to $40,000 for five years has met resistance from Senate Republicans and House GOP members in high-tax states.
Trump Applies Pressure on Holdouts
Trump has publicly urged Republican lawmakers to unite and pass the bill, calling out “grandstanders” and pushing for a holiday-weekend finish. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson remain in close contact with the White House to keep members in line.
Democrats Cry Foul Over Rushed Process
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the GOP for fast-tracking the bill before the public understands its implications. “There’s no good reason for Republicans to chase a silly deadline,” Schumer said.
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