The Senate voted Saturday to launch into debate on President Trump’s “big beautiful” spending bill, after Republican leaders spent hours working to gain enough support to approve the 940-page document.
The multi-trillion dollar bill narrowly advanced in a 51-49 procedural vote, despite opposition from two Republican lawmakers who joined their Democratic colleagues in an attempt to block the measure from reaching the Senate floor.
Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Rand Paul (R-KY) were the holdouts after they publicly declared that they wouldn’t be backing the bill in its current form.
Wisconsin GOP Sen. Ron Johnson initially voted against the procedural motion but flipped at the eleventh hour.
Vice President JD Vance had arrived at Capitol Hill earlier in the night and remained on standby ready to cast his tie-breaking vote as Republicans remained divided throughout the nearly four hour proceeding.
Debate will now begin on the spending bill – and that could take hours as New York Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer has promised to have the nearly 1,000-page measure read before a final vote on passing it can happen.
“Tonight we saw a GREAT VICTORY in the Senate with the “GREAT, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL,” but, it wouldn’t have happened without the Fantastic Work of Senator Rick Scott, Senator Mike Lee, Senator Ron Johnson, and Senator Cynthia Lummis,” Trump said on Truth Social early Sunday.
“They, along with all of the other Republican Patriots who voted for the Bill, are people who truly love our Country!”
Trump has lobbied for House and Senate Republicans to fast-track the legislation so it lands on his desk by his self-imposed July 4 deadline.
The measure would make Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent, end taxation on tips and overtime, boost border security funding and scrap green-energy tax credits passed during the Biden administration. --->READ MORE HERE
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Senate Republicans late Saturday voted to begin debate on President Trump’s sweeping tax and spending package, kickstarting an effort to get the measure to his desk by July 4.
The 51-49 test vote was a victory for Republicans after struggling Saturday to secure enough support to take that first step, holding the procedural vote open for almost four hours as GOP leaders negotiated with various holdouts.
Vice President J.D. Vance waited in the Capitol prepared to break a tie, but ultimately he was not needed.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Alaska Republican, cast her “yes” vote nearly two hours in, while GOP Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Mike Lee of Utah, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming and Rick Scott of Florida followed two more hours later.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the legislation is poised to deliver on Republicans’ promises and “make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”
“Fifty-three members will never agree on every detail of legislation, let’s face it,” the South Dakota Republican said in a floor speech before the vote. “But Republicans are united in our commitment to what we’re doing in this bill – securing our border; strengthening our national defense; growing our economy; unleashing American energy; cutting waste, fraud, and abuse; and preventing tax hikes on hardworking Americans.”
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, is forcing Senate clerks to read the bill aloud on the floor before the chamber proceeds to up to 20 hours of debate, after which unlimited amendment votes can begin. That puts the bill on track for passage sometime Monday.
“Republicans won’t tell America what’s in the bill. So Democrats are forcing it to be read start to finish on the floor,” Mr. Schumer said.
Senate Republicans’ latest changes, unveiled late Friday night, moved some GOP holdouts to “yes,” while others who voted to proceed to the bill are withholding judgment on final passage.
“That does not mean in any way that I’m satisfied with the provisions in this bill,” said Sen. Susan Collins, Maine Republican. “I intend to file several amendments to it.” --->READ MORE HERE
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