Senate GOP Struggles To Save Trump’s Tax Plan/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Senate Republicans scramble to advance Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill after a chaotic weekend and internal GOP divisions. A costly Medicaid clash and billions in tax cuts fuel fierce debate ahead of a crucial vote-a-rama. Democrats vow relentless amendments, while a new CBO report warns of massive deficit hikes and millions losing coverage.
Quick Look
- Senate faces critical vote-a-rama Monday on Trump’s bill
- Medicaid cuts trigger GOP defections, stalling momentum
- CBO: Bill adds $3.3 trillion deficit, 11.8 million uninsured
- Democrats gear up for amendment blitz on Senate floor
- House poised for vote if Senate clears bill this week
Senate Republicans Race to Rescue Trump’s Tax Bill After Weekend of Setbacks
Deep Look
WASHINGTON — After a weekend marked by delays and division, Senate Republicans will try to push forward Monday on President Donald Trump’s sweeping package of tax cuts and spending reductions — even as fresh setbacks threaten its passage.
The Senate is preparing to launch a marathon “vote-a-rama,” an all-night series of votes on amendments, as soon as it gavels in Monday morning. Democrats are united against the bill and plan to force vote after vote to slow the process and spotlight Republican proposals they say favor the wealthy while cutting vital programs like Medicaid.
“The hardest choices are still to come,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York. “Republicans will have to explain their billionaire tax cuts and their massive cuts to Medicaid to people back home.”
Bill Faces Internal GOP Tensions
Republicans hold a narrow majority in Congress and are under intense pressure to deliver the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” Trump’s signature domestic policy priority, by the July Fourth holiday. But the effort remains precarious.
On Sunday, Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, a Republican who has clashed with Trump over the bill’s health care cuts, announced he would not run for reelection. Tillis blasted the package as a betrayal of Trump’s promise not to leave people uninsured, warning it could devastate rural hospitals.
“We could take the time to get this right,” Tillis said.
Meanwhile, a bloc of conservative Republicans, including Sens. Rick Scott of Florida, Mike Lee of Utah, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, has demanded deeper spending cuts, especially to Medicaid.
Trump himself cautioned them to avoid going too far, posting on social media: “REMEMBER, you still have to get reelected.”
Weekend Vote Nearly Derailed
The Senate barely overcame a crucial procedural vote on Saturday night to keep the bill alive, after several GOP senators balked. Vice President JD Vance and phone calls from Trump helped secure the needed votes.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska cast a decisive vote after tense conversations with GOP leaders. Provisions like increased tax deductions for native whalers and potential waivers from food stamps and Medicaid requirements, dubbed the “Polar Payoff,” were reportedly aimed at securing her support, though some of those provisions were flagged as noncompliant with Senate rules.
What’s In the Bill
The nearly 1,000-page bill includes roughly $4 trillion in tax cuts, locking in Trump’s 2017 tax rates that are set to expire this year unless Congress acts. It adds new cuts, such as exempting tips from taxation.
It also repeals billions in green energy tax credits that Democrats warn could cripple wind and solar industries, and imposes about $1.2 trillion in spending cuts largely targeting Medicaid and food assistance. These savings come through stricter eligibility rules, new work requirements, and reduced federal payments to states.
The legislation also earmarks $350 billion for border and national security, including funding for mass deportations, financed in part by new fees imposed on immigrants.
Democrats Prepare For Fight
Though Democrats lack the numbers to block the bill outright, they are deploying every tactic to stall it. They forced a full reading of the bill’s text — consuming 16 hours — and filled Sunday’s session with speeches condemning the legislation.
“Reckless and irresponsible,” said Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich.
“A gift to the billionaire class,” said Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., invoked scripture: “Follow what the Bible teaches us: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, criticized Republican budget math that treats Trump’s earlier tax cuts as “current policy,” thus not counting the cost of extending them toward deficit projections.
“In my 33 years here in the United States Senate, things have never — never — worked this way,” Murray said. “Go back home and try that game with your constituents.”
What’s Next
With a House vote possible as soon as Wednesday, time is running out for Republicans to unite behind the bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson has summoned lawmakers back to Washington, but the final outcome remains uncertain.
A new Congressional Budget Office analysis projects the legislation would leave 11.8 million more Americans without health insurance by 2034 and add nearly $3.3 trillion to the deficit over a decade.
The next hours in the Senate could determine whether Trump’s marquee legislative goal survives — or collapses under its own political weight.
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