Senate Advances Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Amid Controversy

WASHINGTON D.C. – June 29, 2025 – After intense negotiations and dramatic votes, Senate Republicans have successfully moved President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” past a critical procedural hurdle, setting the stage for a marathon debate and a final push toward the President’s July 4th deadline. The mammoth tax-and-spending package continues to face significant controversy and a “family feud” among Republicans, despite the latest revisions.

The 940-page legislative behemoth, unveiled just before midnight on Saturday, secured a narrow 51-49 party-line vote to unlock a 20-hour debate. The vote was not without tension, as Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) could only afford to lose three Republican votes. Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) notably voted against advancing the bill, expressing lingering concerns.

Key Provisions and Sticking Points

The bill, an amendment to the House GOP’s earlier version, aims to make Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent, introduce new tax breaks on tips, overtime, and Social Security, and significantly boost funding for border security and military initiatives. It also includes the establishment of President Trump’s “National Garden of American Heroes.”

However, several provisions have ignited fierce debate:

• Medicaid Restrictions: The legislation imposes work requirements for some able-bodied adults and more frequent eligibility checks. While some initial controversial measures, like cutting federal funds for states providing healthcare to undocumented immigrants and banning coverage for gender transition services, were stripped due to non-compliance with Senate rules, concerns remain. The bill proposes lowering Medicaid provider taxes from 6% to 3.5% by 2032, a year later than initially planned, and allocates $25 billion for a rural hospital stabilization fund. Critics, including Senator Tillis, argue these changes could be “devastating” for states like North Carolina. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has previously estimated that the House-passed bill’s Medicaid changes could leave over 10 million more people without health coverage.
• State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction: The cap on the SALT deduction would increase from $10,000 to $40,000 for five years before reverting. This issue has been a major point of contention, particularly for lawmakers from high-tax states.
• Food Stamps (SNAP): The Senate bill shifts some costs of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to states, requiring states with error payment rates above 6% to cover 5% to 15% of the costs starting in 2028. It also aligns with the House version by updating the age requirement for able-bodied adults to qualify for SNAP benefits from 18-54 to 18-64, with some exemptions. The CBO previously estimated that the House bill could result in 3 million fewer people qualifying for food aid.
• Debt Ceiling: The bill’s massive scope necessitates raising the debt ceiling by approximately $5 trillion, a point President Trump emphasized as critical for the nation’s future.

Presidential Pressure and GOP Divisions

President Trump has maintained significant pressure on Republican lawmakers, setting a July 4th deadline for the bill to reach his desk. He has publicly criticized senators who oppose the bill, notably Senator Tillis, warning of “ultimate betrayal” and hinting at political retaliation.

Despite the successful procedural vote, Republicans are expected to face a challenging “vote-a-rama” session, allowing for an unlimited number of amendments, before a final passage vote. This process could extend into early Monday morning.

If approved by the Senate, the bill will return to the House of Representatives for a final vote before being sent to the President for his signature. The outcome of this legislative battle remains closely watched, as it will shape key domestic policies and has been a central pillar of the President’s agenda.