GOP Advances Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Despite Party Holdouts

Senate Republicans narrowly cleared a critical procedural hurdle Saturday evening, advancing President Donald Trump’s sweeping legislative package by a razor-thin 51-49 margin.

Why It Matters

This procedural vote represents a make-or-break moment for Trump’s domestic agenda and the GOP’s governing credibility. The package seeks to permanently extend $3.8 trillion in expiring benefits while funding Trump’s mass deportation efforts with $350 billion in national security spending.

However, proposed cuts to Medicaid, food assistance programs, and green energy investments have created unexpected fractures within Republican ranks, highlighting the challenge of governing with narrow majorities when facing unified Democratic opposition.

What To Know

The dramatic late-night session saw Vice President JD Vance standing by to potentially break a tie, while two GOP senators—Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Rand Paul of Kentucky—joined all Democrats in opposition.

The 940-page bill, released just after midnight Friday, combines Trump’s signature domestic priorities with his July Fourth deadline looming large over Congressional Republicans.

The legislation centers on making permanent many benefits from Trump’s first term that would otherwise expire by year’s end, potentially triggering automatic increases for millions of Americans.

New provisions include eliminating levies on tips and committing substantial resources to immigration enforcement. To offset lost revenue, Republicans propose significant reductions to social programs, though several GOP lawmakers have balked at cuts they consider too severe, particularly regarding healthcare access through Medicaid.

The bill faced multiple setbacks as the Senate parliamentarian ruled several original proposals violated the chamber’s strict “Byrd Rule,” which largely prohibits policy matters in budget legislation unless they can secure 60 votes. Republicans quickly revised rejected provisions, including controversial changes to food assistance funding and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s structure.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that under the House version, approximately 10.9 million additional people would lose healthcare coverage, while at least 3 million fewer would qualify for food aid. Top earners would receive roughly $12,000 in reductions, while the poorest Americans would face an estimated $1,600 increase.

What People Are Saying

President Donald Trump on Truth Social on Saturday: “Republicans must remember that they are fighting against a very evil, corrupt and, in many ways, incompetent (Policywise!) group of people, who would rather see our Country “go down in flames” than do the right thing and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! The Democrats would LOVE to see the Biggest Tax Hike in History (68%!), No Border Spending (Open Borders!), and a weak, underfunded Military, so we wouldn’t be able to do things like we did just one week ago in Iran. We gave the Dems a Debt Extension because it was the right thing to do, but they won’t do it for us.”

He added: “The one thing they do have is an ability to stick together, and vote as one group (They don’t have GRANDSTANDERS!). They also have House and Senate Rules that give Great Power to their Leaders – Committee Chairmanships, etc. Republicans don’t have that, have never been able to get it, BUT THEY SHOULD! What we do have is wonderful people and phenomenal Policy, and that should win Elections every single time!”

What Happens Next

Senators face grueling hours of overnight debate and amendment votes in the coming days. If the Senate passes the bill, it returns to the House for final approval before reaching the White House.

House Speaker Mike Johnson sent colleagues home for the weekend but kept them on standby to return to Washington, though support remains uncertain with at least one Republican, Rep. David Valadao of California, already announcing opposition.