Senate Republicans Advance Trump’s $3.8 Trillion Bill Amid Deep Party Divisions
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Republicans took a critical step Saturday night toward advancing a massive $3.8 trillion budget bill central to Donald Trump’s second-term agenda. The chamber voted 51–49 to open formal debate, but the final vote remains on shaky ground.
The 940-page proposal, dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill” by Trump, was released just after midnight. It outlines sweeping tax cuts, including the extension of 2017-era reductions, elimination of taxes on overtime and tips, and deductions on Social Security benefits. At its core, the bill seeks to cement Trump’s economic legacy before the July 4 deadline.
Two Republican senators Rand Paul of Kentucky and Thom Tillis of North Carolina voted against advancing the measure. Paul cited opposition to a provision raising the debt ceiling. Tillis argued the bill would slash billions from Medicaid, harming healthcare access in his state.
Trump celebrated the vote on social media, calling it a “great victory” but criticized Paul. “Did Rand Paul vote ‘NO’ again tonight? What’s wrong with this guy???” he posted.
The legislation also drew fire for proposed Medicaid restrictions. The Congressional Budget Office estimates 7.8 million Americans would lose health coverage if the cuts are enacted. Democrats have called the measure an assault on low-income and vulnerable communities.
“This bill contains the largest healthcare cuts in history,” Senator Patty Murray of Washington stated on X.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the vote, accusing Republicans of rushing the process. “Senate Republicans are scrambling to pass a radical bill released to the public in the dead of night,” he said, vowing to force the full reading of the text on the Senate floor.
Republican leaders made last-minute changes to win over hesitant lawmakers. The revised bill increases funding for rural hospitals and exempts Alaska and Hawaii from new state-level cost-sharing rules under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan pushed for that exemption.
Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin initially opposed the bill but changed his vote during the session. Vice President JD Vance was present at the Capitol to cast a tiebreaker if needed, but leaders secured a slim majority without his vote.
Though Republicans hold 53 Senate seats, they can afford only three defections. With Paul and Tillis opposed and others wavering, the outcome of the final vote remains uncertain. If passed, the bill will return to the House of Representatives, where resistance from some Republican members remains over recent Senate revisions.
The White House has urged full support, calling failure to pass the bill “the ultimate betrayal” in a memo to Senate offices.
Outside Congress, criticism is growing. Elon Musk warned on X that the bill “will destroy millions of jobs” due to its impact on solar and wind energy investment.
Despite internal fractures and public pushback, GOP leaders insist the bill delivers on campaign promises. A final vote is expected in the coming days, but its passage is far from guaranteed.
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