WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate has entered a marathon debate over President Donald Trump’s ambitious legislative package that combines tax reform, deep Medicaid cuts, and historic increases in border security spending. The bill, a cornerstone of Trump’s second-term domestic agenda, faces challenges both from Democrats and within the Republican Party itself.
Following a dramatic 51-49 procedural vote on June 28, the Senate cleared the way for debate, setting the stage for what could be 20 hours of deliberation followed by a lengthy “vote-a-rama” involving dozens of amendments. The initial vote was held open for more than three and a half hours as Senate leaders, Trump, and Vice President JD Vance negotiated with GOP holdouts.
GOP Divisions Exposed
Two Republican senators — Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) — opposed the procedural motion to begin debate, drawing the ire of the former president. On his Truth Social platform, Trump criticized both lawmakers. For Tillis, Trump suggested supporting a primary challenger in 2026, writing, “Numerous people have come forward wanting to run in the Primary against ‘Senator Thom’ Tillis.” As for Paul, Trump asked, “Did Rand Paul Vote ‘NO’ again tonight? What’s wrong with this guy???”
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) initially voted no but changed his vote at the last minute to avoid a tie. Senators Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) were among the final holdouts who eventually voted yes after extended negotiations. Lee also withdrew a controversial provision opposed by Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.).
What’s in the Bill?
The Senate version of the bill includes several high-stakes components:
- Tax Reform: Extends the 2017 Trump-era tax cuts, due to expire at the end of 2025. New provisions include tax deductions for tips and overtime pay, capped at $25,000. However, these benefits are reduced for individuals earning more than $150,000.
- Medicaid Cuts: The bill proposes significant savings by requiring able-bodied adults under 65 to work at least 80 hours per month to qualify for benefits. It maintains exemptions for parents of young children and people with disabilities. While the House version would cut $625 billion from the program, the Senate’s version aims for even deeper reductions. However, some proposed restrictions — such as banning non-citizens and eliminating gender-affirming care funding — were struck down by Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough.
- Border Security: The bill allocates over $150 billion for the Department of Homeland Security, including $45 billion for new detention centers and $27 billion to support a mass deportation campaign aligned with Trump’s renewed focus on immigration enforcement.
- Senior Tax Relief: Provides a temporary “bonus deduction” of $6,000 for seniors aged 65 and older, phased in between 2025 and 2028, with income caps at $75,000 (single filers) and $150,000 (couples).
- Debt Ceiling Increase: The bill proposes raising the federal borrowing limit by $5 trillion, with total national debt nearing $37 trillion. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned that the current debt ceiling could be reached by August.
White House and Senate Leadership Respond
The White House’s Office of Management and Budget issued a strong endorsement of the bill on June 28, stating the administration “strongly supports” the Senate version. “Failure to pass this bill would be the ultimate betrayal,” the statement read, highlighting tax cuts, border security, and defense investments.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has acknowledged uncertainty about whether the final bill will garner enough GOP votes to return to the House for final approval. Thune also clarified that despite criticism from some Republicans, there are no current plans to remove Parliamentarian MacDonough, whose rulings have disrupted GOP efforts to include stricter Medicaid provisions.
Musk Labels the Bill “Political Suicide”
Former Trump adviser and billionaire Elon Musk has been one of the bill’s most outspoken critics. After a brief silence following his exit from government service in May, Musk warned on social media that the legislation “will destroy millions of jobs” and amounts to “political suicide” for the Republican Party. He accused the bill of “handing out subsidies to industries of the past while crippling industries of the future.”
What’s Next?
The Senate will continue debating the bill in a session expected to last into the early hours, followed by votes on potentially dozens of amendments. Trump has pressed Congress to finalize the bill by July 4, aiming for a major legislative win to mark the holiday.
As the Senate inches toward a final vote, the fate of Trump’s sweeping bill — and its implications for millions of Americans — hangs in the balance.
