Washington, D.C. – June 28, 2025
The Senate Republican majority narrowly advanced a sweeping tax-and-spending package late Saturday, marking a key procedural step toward enacting former President Trump’s signature policy agenda. The vote, 51–49, sets the stage for full Senate debate and a final passage vote in the coming days.
What the Bill Includes
Dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” the 940-page legislation spans tax reform, border security, defense spending, and significant cuts to social programs:
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Permanent tax cuts: Extends the 2017 Trump-era individual tax cuts, including new provisions like untaxed tip income, overtime deductions, and expanded auto-loan interest write-offs.
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Child and senior support: Boosts the child tax credit to $2,200, adds an extra deduction for older filers, and creates $1,000 “Trump savings accounts” for newborns.
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Border and immigration funding: Allocates $85 billion for border security measures and detention infrastructure, along with massive new deportation resources.
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Defense spending: Approximately $158 billion is earmarked for national defense priorities like missile systems, shipbuilding, and a new “Golden Dome” defense initiative.
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Cuts to safety net and green energy: Tightens Medicaid and SNAP through work requirements and cost-sharing, repeals EV tax credits and renewable energy incentives, and rescinds student loan forgiveness.
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Debt ceiling increase: Raises the federal borrowing limit by about $5 trillion.
The bill also includes caps on itemized deductions and a temporary increase in SALT deductions for five years, before reverting to current limits.
Senate Dynamics and Dissent
While most Republicans backed the procedural vote after intense negotiation, two senators—Rand Paul and Thom Tillis—voted against it. Others, like Susan Collins and Josh Hawley, expressed reservations over Medicaid cuts but supported advancing debate once key modifications were made.
Vice President Vance was on standby in the Capitol in case of a tie. Leadership hopes to finish by July 4, though Democrats are delaying tactics like reading the full bill aloud to slow the process.
Political Stakes and Opposition
Republican leaders are urging swift passage to fulfill Trump’s promise: “Promises made, promises kept.” Yet the bill faces fierce opposition from Democrats and some moderate Republicans who warn it will slash vital services, exacerbate inequality, and balloon the national debt. Analysts estimate the bill could add trillions to deficit projections.
Next Steps
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Full Senate debate: Known as “vote-a-rama,” dozens of amendments will be offered before a final vote.
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Return to the House: Changes made in the Senate must be approved by the House before heading to the president.
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Public scrutiny: With broad implications for tax, healthcare, and the environment, the bill is likely to spark national debate and serve as a central issue in upcoming campaigns.
Bottom Line: By advancing this massive and ideologically charged bill, Senate Republicans are positioning Trump’s second-term legacy with sweeping reforms and rollback of major Biden initiatives. Whether it can clear both chambers and withstand political backlash remains uncertain—but the legislative momentum is unmistakable.