WASHINGTON, June 29 – President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax-cut and spending bill overcame a significant legislative obstacle, as the U.S. Senate narrowly voted to open debate on the massive 940-page megabill. The vote, held during an intense weekend session, saw the chamber divide 51-49, with two Republican senators breaking ranks to oppose the bill. The legislation marks a pivotal move toward enacting Trump’s top economic, military, and immigration priorities.
The bill, which merges wide-ranging tax reforms with an increase in government spending, faced both internal party resistance and fierce Democratic pushback. Democrats argue the proposal would primarily benefit the wealthiest Americans while slashing essential programs designed to support lower-income citizens. Despite these challenges, Trump lauded the Senate vote on social media, celebrating it as a “great victory” for what he called a “great, big, beautiful bill.”
Senate Debate Delayed Amid Democratic Resistance
The Saturday vote didn’t come easily. Hours passed as Republican leaders, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Vice President JD Vance, scrambled to consolidate support from holdout lawmakers. Ultimately, they succeeded in persuading enough senators to push the bill forward, albeit with difficulty.
In a move to stall proceedings, Senate Democrats demanded the entire bill be read aloud on the floor—a time-consuming requirement that delayed the start of formal debate until potentially Sunday afternoon. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the bill as “radical” and accused Republicans of trying to slip it through without public scrutiny. “Democrats are going to force this chamber to read it from start to finish,” Schumer said in a floor speech.
The reading of the bill is expected to be followed by up to 20 hours of floor debate and a lengthy amendment process known as a “vote-a-rama,” where numerous changes may be proposed and voted on in rapid succession. Lawmakers anticipate concluding the process and voting on final passage by Monday.
Internal GOP Fractures and Policy Tensions
While most Republicans lined up behind the bill, Senators Thom Tillis and Rand Paul voted against advancing the debate. Tillis voiced concern over proposed Medicaid cuts, particularly the impact such reductions could have on his home state of North Carolina, where rural healthcare systems rely heavily on federal support. Tillis, who faces reelection next year, drew direct criticism from Trump. The president expressed support for a potential primary challenger to Senator Thom Tillis, stating online that many individuals had shown interest in running against him and that he plans to meet with them in the coming weeks.
Senator Rand Paul opposed the measure due to its provisions that would raise the U.S. borrowing limit by $5 trillion. “Did Rand Paul Vote ‘NO‘ again tonight? What’s wrong with this guy???” Trump posted, showcasing his frustration with the Kentucky senator’s consistent defiance on fiscal matters.
Initially, Senator Ron Johnson also opposed the bill, but he changed his vote to yes after hours of behind-the-scenes negotiations. Hardline fiscal conservatives such as Senators Rick Scott, Mike Lee, and Cynthia Lummis also came onboard, despite earlier resistance over spending concerns.
From the Oval Office, Trump was closely monitoring the vote, urging cooperation and pushing for loyalty to his legislative agenda. The bill includes an extension of his signature 2017 tax cuts, as well as new tax reductions and significant increases in military and border security funding.
According to an analysis from the nonpartisan Joint Tax Committee, the bill’s tax components are projected to reduce federal revenue by approximately $4.5 trillion over the next ten years. However, the White House maintains that the bill will ultimately trim the federal deficit by $1.4 trillion annually through economic growth and spending reforms.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whose company could lose electric vehicle tax credits under the bill, also voiced strong disapproval. Calling the legislation “utterly insane and destructive,” Musk argued it would threaten jobs and national competitiveness. He warned on his social media platform X that the current Senate draft bill could wipe out millions of American jobs and inflict serious long-term damage to the nation’s strategic interests.
Policy Provisions and Legislative Outlook
Among its many provisions, the bill makes substantial changes to Medicaid funding structures, particularly concerning rural healthcare providers. To address concerns from Republican senators in rural states, the bill includes a delay in Medicaid revenue reductions and earmarks $25 billion to assist rural providers between 2028 and 2032.
The bill also proposes increasing the federal deduction cap for state and local taxes from $10,000 to $40,000, with a gradual phase-down for individuals earning over $500,000 annually. That component is especially significant for House Republicans from states like New York, New Jersey, and California, where constituents face high local tax burdens.
Democrats have vowed to introduce amendments aimed at restoring funding to programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and food assistance, which they argue have been unjustly slashed to accommodate tax relief for high earners and corporations.
The legislation also includes a provision to raise the federal debt ceiling significantly in order to prevent a default crisis looming in the near future. By using a special budgetary maneuver, Senate Republicans are able to bypass the usual 60-vote threshold needed to avoid a filibuster and push the bill through with a simple majority.