Senate Republicans are in a sprint on Trump’s big bill after a weekend of setbacks

The Senate was engaged in a prolonged voting session extending into Monday night, as Republican leaders worked to secure sufficient support for President Donald Trump's significant bill, which includes tax breaks and spending cuts. The outcome remained uncertain, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledging the need to strategize for finalization. House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated potential challenges for the Senate's package upon its return to the House for a final vote, emphasizing a desire for it to closely mirror the House's version. This legislative effort is a critical priority for Republicans, who control Congress and are racing against Trump's July 4th deadline. The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," a 940-page piece of legislation, has consumed Congress's attention. Republicans face a tight margin, with at least two senators, Thom Tillis and Rand Paul, expressing opposition. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins have raised concerns about healthcare cuts, while a group of conservative senators are pushing for deeper reductions. Billionaire Elon Musk publicly criticized the bill's provision to raise the national debt limit. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer stated that Democrats were highlighting the bill's perceived flaws, utilizing a "vote-a-rama" process with numerous amendments, most expected to fail. A Congressional Budget Office analysis indicated the bill could lead to 11.8 million more uninsured Americans by 2034 and increase the deficit by nearly $3.3 trillion over a decade. The White House urged Republican lawmakers to remain unified. The bill proposes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, making Trump's 2017 rates permanent, and includes new tax breaks like no taxes on tips. It also aims to roll back green energy tax credits and implement $1.2 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and food stamps through measures like work requirements. Additionally, the bill allocates $350 billion for border and national security. Democrats, as the minority party, are employing tactics to delay the process, including forcing a full reading of the bill and proposing amendments. Concerns were raised about the accounting methods used by Republicans to present the bill's costs.