WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s sweeping legislative agenda — featuring tax cuts, Medicaid reform, and major border security funding — narrowly survived a key procedural vote in the Senate, setting the stage for a marathon debate and amendment process over the coming days. However, the final fate of the bill remains uncertain as divisions within the GOP persist.
Key Senate Vote Begins Debate
On June 28, the Senate voted 51-49 to begin formal debate on the nearly 940-page package. While the vote allowed the measure to move forward, two Republican senators — Rand Paul (Ky.) and Thom Tillis (N.C.) — opposed even starting the discussion, citing concerns over spending levels and Medicaid cuts.
The vote was delayed more than three hours as Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) scrambled to secure the necessary support. “We’ll find out,” Thune said when asked if the bill would ultimately gain final approval.
If the Senate passes the measure, the House will have to approve the Senate’s version before it can reach Trump’s desk. The president has pushed lawmakers to finalize the legislation by July 4, a deadline driven more by political strategy than procedure.
What’s in the Senate Bill?
The Senate version trims the House’s 1,100-page draft and includes major Republican priorities:
- Extension of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, set to expire this year, potentially avoiding a projected $4 trillion tax hike over the next decade.
- New deductions for tips and overtime wages, capped at $25,000, but with limited benefits for earners above $150,000.
- $150 billion in increased border security funding, including $45 billion for new detention centers and $27 billion to expand deportation efforts.
- A $5 trillion increase in the national debt ceiling, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warning the U.S. could hit its borrowing limit by August.
Also included is a $25 billion fund for rural hospitals, helping secure the support of previously skeptical senators like Josh Hawley (R-Mo.).
Provisions Removed After Parliamentarian Ruling
Several controversial provisions were stripped from the bill after Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled them ineligible under reconciliation rules, which allow legislation to bypass a filibuster:
- Limitations on Medicaid for undocumented immigrants.
- Environmental rollbacks and tax breaks for fossil fuels.
- Expanded immigration enforcement powers.
- Cuts to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Internal GOP Disputes and Pressure
Senators Tillis and Paul remain vocal critics. Tillis opposed the deeper Medicaid cuts compared to the House version, while Paul called for a separate vote on the debt ceiling. Trump has since publicly rebuked Tillis and suggested he may back a primary challenger against him in 2026.
Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), a moderate, supported beginning the debate but said her final vote remains undecided, depending on further amendments.
Democrats Delay Progress, Read Full Bill Aloud
Democrats, unified in opposition, forced the Senate clerks to read the entire 990-page bill aloud — a rare procedural move that significantly delayed proceedings. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) argued the legislation would burden future generations with debt while cutting aid to vulnerable communities.
Schumer’s maneuver means the Senate is likely to remain in session through the night, with debate followed by a “vote-a-rama” — an exhaustive round of amendment votes that could stretch through June 30.
Musk, Environmental Groups Join the Opposition
Outside Washington, critics have also weighed in. Elon Musk, Trump’s former adviser on spending cuts, called the bill “utterly insane and destructive,” warning it could eliminate millions of jobs and hinder future industries.
Environmental groups slammed the bill’s support for fossil fuels and the proposed taxation of renewable energy sources. Christy Goldfuss, executive director of the Natural Resources Defense Council, labeled it “a fossil fuels industry fever dream” that could devastate wind and solar development.
The Road Ahead
Despite Republican control of the Senate (53-47), the narrow vote margin and internal dissent highlight ongoing fragility in the party’s legislative coalition. If the bill passes, it will mark a major legislative win for Trump’s second term, securing the continuation of his 2017 tax cuts and advancing his campaign promises on immigration and economic policy.
But several key Republicans remain undecided, and the amendment process could reshape the bill significantly. With high stakes and a self-imposed deadline looming, the next 48 hours will be critical for the future of Trump’s legislative agenda.
