Hey, have you been following the latest Washington soap opera? Here’s the quick and simple version: Senate Republicans just handed former President Donald Trump a big win. They managed to pass his massive $3.3 trillion bill—the one he’s been bragging about as his “one, big, beautiful bill.”
Republicans unite (mostly)
Almost all Republican senators approved the bill. Only three voted no: North Carolina’s Thom Tillis, Kentucky’s Rand Paul, and Maine’s Susan Collins. None of the Democrats voted for it.
Even though it had most of the Republicans on board, the bill still needed a second vote in order to be passed, and Vice President JD Vance was the one who cast the tie-breaker vote. That was the final thrust following a weekend’s delay, debate, and some friendly back-and-forth between parties.
What’s in the bill?
So what in heaven’s name is this “beautiful” bill all about? It’s loaded with Republican priorities. At the top of the list are:
- Billions more for defense and national defense
- Major changes to Medicaid (something that is giving Democrats heartburn)
- Permanent tax cuts from Trump’s 2017 tax reform
- Dollars for the new border and immigration
- About $1.5 trillion in total spending cuts
One big addition was added at the eleventh hour to persuade holdout senators:
Another $50 billion for rural hospitals (a move pushed by Senator Susan Collins). Another addition reversed new work requirements under food stamps in states like Alaska.
House republicans next
The bill is now headed to the House of Representatives. That’s where things may get difficult.
House Republicans dispute that the bill doesn’t cut spending deeply enough. Others are concerned about the impact on Medicaid. GOP leaders, however, hope to send the bill to Trump’s desk by Friday, on time for the July 4 holiday.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and the rest of the House Republicans called on the Senate not to make so many changes, so the bill still has a chance of passing the Senate.
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Democrats push back hard
Senate Democrats did everything in their power to delay. They claimed millions of people would lose Medicaid benefits and the bill would add trillions of dollars to the nation’s debt.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that under current law, the bill would add $3.3 trillion to the deficit over 10 years. Republicans claim it’s worth it in the long-term economic and national security boost.
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A bitter ending
Ahead of the vote, Senate Democrats tried their final gambit: stripping the bill of its formal title, “The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer attacked Trump as having deceived the public and warned that people would not soon forget what had transpired.
All the same, Trump won out—at least for now.
If the House goes along, this bill can become law in days.
