US Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday cast the tie-breaking vote to push President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill through the Senate, following a marathon session of debate and revisions.
The massive package, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” calls for tax breaks and increases in defense spending and immigration enforcement, which will be offset by cuts to health care and other social services.
Three Republican senators, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky, joined all Democrats in voting against the bill, leaving Tuesday’s vote tally at 50-50.
What is in the bill?
According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the bill includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, making Trump’s 2017 tax rates from his first term permanent, while adding new cuts like no taxes on tips, overtime and social security.
It also allots $150 billion for defense, and $175 billion for border security.
Among the more controversial aspects are changes to Medicaid, which is government subsidized health care for low-income groups. The bills calls for stricter access requirements, and will impose $1.2 trillion in cuts to the program.
The CBO has estimated that the alterations to Medicaid means 12 million people will lose access to health insurance over the next decade.
What comes next?
The bill will now go to the House of Representatives for final passage, with debate expected to take place on Wednesday. Trump has demanded the bill be signed into law by July 4, the US Independence Day holiday.
The House had already approved an earlier version of the bill. However, as the Senate added amendments, the bill must pass the House again before being signed into law.
House speaker Mike Johnson said after the Senate vote on Tuesday that “House Republicans are ready to finish the job and put the One Big Beautiful Bill on President Trump’s desk in time for Independence Day.”
Passing the bill in the Republican-controlled House is, however, far from guaranteed, with disagreement between fiscal hawks concerned over the impact on the deficit and moderates protesting Medicaid cuts.
The CBO estimates the bill will add $3.3 trillion to the national debt.
Big, beautiful — and unpopular
Polling shows the bill is unpopular, with 23% supporting it, and 42% in opposition, according to a Washington Post/Ipsos poll carried out in June.
“Today, Senate Republicans betrayed the American people and covered the Senate in utter shame,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said after the vote. “This vote will haunt Republicans for years to come.”
“In one fell swoop Republicans passed the biggest tax break for billionaires ever seen— paid for by ripping away health care for millions of people and taking food out of the mouths of hungry kids,” Schumer added.
Billionaire former Trump aide Elon Musk has heavily criticized the bill, and posted on his X social media platform Monday that any member of Congress who voted for the bill will “lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do.” During the 2024 election, Musk spent some $290 billion supporting Trump and other Republican candidates.
Edited by: Jenipher Camino Gonzalez
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