TL/DR –
The US Senate passed President Trump’s substantial tax and spending cut bill by a slim margin of 51-50, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. This followed the longest vote-a-rama in history, a 27-hour session in which potential amendments were reviewed. The bill, which met opposition from three Republicans over concerns about Medicaid and renewable energy cuts and deficit increases, now moves to the House of Representatives, where it faces significant opposition.
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The U.S. Senate vote on President Trump’s significant bill was a suspenseful affair.
Overview of Events
The U.S. Senate passed President Donald Trump’s big bill on the narrowest of votes Tuesday with Vice President JD Vance casting tie-breaking vote.
- The Senate passed its version of President Trump’s enormous tax and spending cut bill by a slim margin, 51-50. Vice President JD Vance broke the tie.
- After the lengthiest vote-a-rama in history. Senators cast 49 votes in a 27-hour session, reviewing numerous potential bill amendments.
- Three Republicans voted “no.” Sens. Susan Collins, Thom Tillis, and Rand Paul voted against due to concerns about Medicaid and renewable energy cuts, and the bill’s impact on the deficit.
- The tie-breaking vote? Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
During the “budget reconciliation” process, I observed a live “Byrd bath,” a rare public display of the process checking each provision’s budgetary effect.
Significance of the Final Byrd Bath
Sources informed me that the final Byrd bath included a provision easing Medicaid cuts on Alaska and Hawaii — a move to alleviate Murkowski’s concerns. However, the parliamentarian deemed the proposal unfit for the process, causing uncertainty around Murkowski’s vote, who eventually voted “yes.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Ala., (center) and Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wy., (center right), walk toward the Senate floor to get President Donald Trump’s big bill through Congress. Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
According to an interview with her, Murkowski voted “yes” for the sake of her state.
Changes Made by the Senate
We’re still dissecting the final Senate draft released just before the vote. Known changes include the doubling of the rural health fund and dropping a proposed tax on wind and solar energy.
Next Steps
The bill faces significant opposition in the U.S. House, with Rep. Ralph Norman and Rep. Thomas Massie already committing to vote against it. The Senate bill’s added deficit and deeper Medicaid cuts trouble fiscal conservatives and moderates like Rep. Jeff Van Drew.
Meeting the July 4 Deadline
Despite a challenging situation, a July 4 deadline could still be met. However, the implications of this for Republicans is yet to be fully understood. Keep a close eye on Congress in the coming days, as the developments will have significant tax, health care, and other impacts.
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