The United States Senate commenced an all-night debate on President Donald Trump’s ambitious ‘Big, Beautiful Bill,’ which spans 940 pages and proposes significant tax breaks alongside sweeping cuts to healthcare and food assistance programs.
As discussions unfolded on Sunday, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) revealed alarming projections, stating that if passed, the bill would contribute an estimated $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade.
Moreover, it warned that approximately 11.8 million additional Americans could find themselves uninsured by 2034.
Republican leaders, dismissing the CBO’s findings, are racing to fulfill Trump’s target for passing the bill by July 4, coinciding with the nation’s Independence Day celebrations.
However, the path has been rocky, as the party barely managed to garner enough support to push the legislation through a crucial procedural vote on Saturday night.
A small faction of Republican senators opposed the bill, prompting calls from Trump and a personal visit from Vice President JD Vance to ensure the bill’s momentum continued.
In a notable turn of events, Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, one of the dissenting voices, announced he would not seek re-election following Trump’s veiled threat to back a primary challenger against him due to his “no” vote.
Tillis expressed his concerns over the bill’s significant cuts to Medicaid, which is vital for providing health coverage to low-income individuals.
Reacting to Tillis’s announcement, Trump took to TruthSocial to celebrate the news, stating, “Great News! ‘Senator’ Thom Tillis will not be seeking reelection.”
As discussions continued, segments of the Republican party, as well as certain conservatives in the House, pushed for even deeper cuts, particularly concerning healthcare, prompting a rare warning from Trump himself.
Speaking directly to these ‘cost-cutting Republicans,’ Trump cautioned, “REMEMBER, you still have to get reelected. Don’t go too crazy! We will make it all up, times 10, with GROWTH, more than ever before.”
The Senate bill encompasses around $4 trillion in tax reductions, effectively making permanent the tax rates established by Trump in 2017, which are set to expire at the end of this year unless Congress intervenes.
Additionally, it proposes new tax incentives that Trump campaigned on, including eliminating taxes on tips.
However, the legislation would also roll back billions in green energy tax credits, a move that Democrats warn could decimate investments in wind and solar energy across the nation.
Furthermore, it seeks to impose cuts totaling $1.2 trillion primarily on Medicaid and food stamp programs, aiming to tighten eligibility requirements and mandate work requirements.
In a notable budgetary allocation, the bill includes a substantial $350 billion infusion for border and national security efforts, which also covers funding for deportations, partially financed by fees levied on immigrants.
Democratic senators, unified in their opposition to the bill, are taking steps to delay its passage further.
Earlier attempts included a request for the full draft of the legislation to be read aloud on the Senate floor, a process that stretched over an astonishing 16 hours.
Minority Senate Leader Chuck Schumer criticized his Republican colleagues for attempting to hastily push through an extensive policy overhaul that had been unveiled less than 48 hours prior, accusing them of operating in secrecy.
Schumer remarked, “Some Republicans are trying to rush through a bill that they released less than two days ago under the cloak of darkness, written behind closed doors.”
He further pointed out that the latest iteration of the bill features even harsher cuts to clean energy that could result in higher electricity costs for Americans and lead to the loss of approximately 900,000 jobs in the clean energy sector.
Independent Senator Bernie Sanders condemned the bill, labeling it as “the most dangerous piece of legislation in the modern history of our country.”
He articulated the dire financial situation faced by needy populations, saying, “We don’t have enough money to feed hungry children. We don’t have enough money to make sure that people continue to have the health care that they need.”
Contrastingly, he noted the military-industrial complex’s anticipated increase of $150 billion, representing a 15 percent uptick in funding.
Tillis’s decision not to run for re-election underscores the significant influence Trump holds over the Republican Party, according to Sanders.
The ongoing legislative process has taken center stage over the weekend, with further discussions anticipated as the Senate prepares for a session known as a ‘vote-a-rama.’
Once the debate is concluded, lawmakers will deliberate on amendments before casting their votes.
Lawmakers expressed hopes of finalizing the bill by Monday, at which point it would need to return to the House of Representatives.
Speaker Mike Johnson has advised House members to remain on standby for a potential return to Washington, DC, this week.
Al Jazeera’s reporter Mike Hanna, stationed in Washington, DC, projected a ‘lengthy process’ ahead, filled with extensive discussions and debates.
Hanna highlighted that supporters of the bill maintain confidence in promises it fulfills from Trump’s past campaign.
Conversely, Democrats argue vehemently that the extensive tax relief primarily benefits wealthy individuals and corporations, warning that such tax cuts are being offset by considerable reductions in crucial social welfare programs like Medicare and food assistance.
Additionally, the American Immigration Council noted the bill proposes up to $45 billion for constructing new immigration detention facilities, further fueled by rising demands from the Trump administration for increased immigration enforcement.
Despite vocal opposition, Republican supporters of the bill remain steadfast in their resolve.
Senator Katie Britt, a Republican from Alabama, emphasized, “We are going to make sure hardworking people can keep more of their money.”
Senator Lindsey Graham, chairman of the Budget Committee, pledged to exert every effort to bring the bill to Trump’s desk, asserting, “We’re going to pass the ‘Big, beautiful bill.’”
image source from：aljazeera
