Trump promotes “Big Beautiful Bill” as Senate Vote Looms
President Donald Trump returned from the NATO summit and quickly turned his focus back to domestic matters, preparing to present his sweeping policy bill at a White House event this afternoon.
(CNN)-President Donald Trump returned from the NATO summit and quickly turned his focus back to domestic matters, preparing to present his sweeping policy bill at a White House event this afternoon. Republican leaders are hoping the Senate will pass the legislation this week and send it back to the House for final approval. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R) expressed optimism, calling the bill “something that is going to help all boats rise.”
However, the legislation faces strong opposition from Democrats, who are pushing back against proposed cuts to Medicaid and other social programs. While they lack the numbers to block the bill , a few dissenting Republicans could derail the plan. The Senate version of the bill includes deeper cuts to Medicaid than the House version, raising concerns among some Republicans. That has led to surprising alliances on Capitol Hill.
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) warned, “Rural hospitals that are already struggling would be forced to shut down,” while Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) echoed the concern, saying, “We can’t close rural hospitals. That’s my message.” In response, GOP leaders are reportedly considering the addition of a rural hospital fund to help mitigate the impact.
Another controversial aspect of the bill is its massive tax breaks, which some estimate to be in the trillions. Democrats argue those breaks come at the expense of essential services like healthcare and food assistance.
“It’s the red carpet for billionaires, and it’s red tape for ordinary Americans,” said Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chief Deputy Minority Whip.
Some fiscal conservatives within the GOP are also voicing concern over the bill’s impact on the national debt.
“I’m fiscally conservative no matter who is president,” said Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY). “And I just can’t support something that makes the deficit worse.”
