WASHINGTON — The debate at the United States (US) Senate over President Donald Trump’s massive tax and spending package stretched into Sunday night, June 29, 2025, as Republicans pushed to meet a self-imposed July 4th deadline amid deep partisan and internal divisions.
The bill cleared a key 51-49 procedural vote Saturday, setting the stage for a contentious debate.
With a narrow 53-47 majority, Republican leaders face an uphill battle against unified Democratic opposition and fractures within their own party.
The legislation features approximately $4 trillion in tax cuts, including a permanent extension of Trump’s 2017 tax rates and new cuts, such as eliminating taxes on tips. It also allocates $350 billion for border security and deportations.
To offset these costs, the bill proposes sweeping cuts to Medicaid and food stamps and repeals billions in green energy tax credits.
Defections
GOP leaders are struggling to secure votes. Two Republicans, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Rand Paul of Kentucky, defected in the procedural vote. Tillis, concerned about Medicaid cuts, announced Sunday he would not seek reelection after Trump threatened to campaign against him.
Paul criticized the bill for raising the national debt ceiling by an additional $5 trillion.
Senate Democrats are using procedural tactics to slow the bill’s progress. They have condemned the legislation for disproportionately benefiting the wealthy while harming low-income Americans.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Republicans are using “fake math and accounting gimmicks to hide the true cost of the bill.”
A Congressional Budget Office analysis projects the bill would cause 11.8 million more Americans to become uninsured by 2034 and could increase the deficit by $3.3 trillion over a decade.
Following up to 20 hours of debate, the Senate is expected to hold an amendment session before a final vote. If the bill clears the Senate, it must return to the House, which passed its version last month, for final approval. / XINHUA