Washington, D.C. — June 30, 2025 — In a narrow 51-49 procedural vote, the U.S. Senate has advanced President Donald Trump’s expansive tax and spending package, officially titled the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The legislation, central to Trump’s second-term agenda, proposes extensive tax cuts, significant increases in defense and immigration enforcement funding, and substantial reductions to social safety net programs. The vote underscores deep divisions within the Republican Party, as Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Rand Paul (R-KY) broke ranks to oppose the bill.
The bill, spanning over 940 pages, aims to permanently extend the 2017 tax cuts, introduce new tax deductions for tips and overtime, and raise the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000. It also allocates approximately $150 billion for immigration enforcement and $157 billion for defense spending. However, it proposes significant cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), introducing stricter eligibility requirements and shifting more financial responsibility to states.
Senator Tillis expressed concerns over the bill’s deep cuts to federal Medicaid funding, particularly the reduction in healthcare provider taxes, which he believes would adversely affect his home state. “The data hasn’t changed, so I have to vote no,” Tillis stated, emphasizing the need to return to the House’s baseline for Medicaid provisions.
Senator Paul cited the bill’s $5 trillion increase in the federal debt ceiling as his primary objection. “We cannot continue to mortgage our children’s future with unchecked spending,” Paul remarked, highlighting the bill’s potential to exacerbate the national debt.
Despite these objections, GOP leaders secured the necessary votes to advance the bill, with Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) switching to a “yes” vote after negotiations. The bill’s advancement sets the stage for a series of debates and amendments before a final Senate vote. If passed, the legislation will return to the House for approval of the Senate’s revisions.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill would add approximately $4.5 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, a figure contested by the White House, which argues that the bill would reduce the annual deficit by $1.4 trillion through economic growth and spending reforms.
Critics argue that the bill disproportionately benefits the wealthy while undermining essential social programs. Elon Musk, former head of the now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency, labeled the bill “utterly insane and destructive,” warning of its potential to harm future industries and the broader economy.
Democrats have also voiced strong opposition, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer demanding a full reading of the bill to delay proceedings. “This bill is a giveaway to the rich at the expense of working families,” Schumer stated, emphasizing the need for thorough scrutiny.
President Trump has urged for the bill’s passage by July 4th, framing it as a patriotic imperative. “This is a big, beautiful step towards making America great again,” Trump declared, emphasizing the bill’s alignment with his administration’s goals of economic growth, border security, and welfare reform.
As the Senate moves forward with debates and potential amendments, the bill’s final form remains uncertain. Key provisions, such as the Medicaid cuts and changes to the SALT deduction cap, are likely to be focal points of contention. The outcome will not only shape the nation’s fiscal policy but also test the unity and direction of the Republican Party.
