Senate Moves to Pass Trump's Tax and Spending Bill Amid Internal GOP Divisions
Senate Republicans are racing to finalize Trump's tax and spending bill, incorporating new provisions while addressing internal dissent ahead of a critical vote.
Overview
- Senate Republicans are working to pass Trump's tax and spending bill after its narrow approval in the House last month, aiming for a July Fourth deadline.
- Internal divisions persist among Republicans regarding cuts to welfare programs, with some opposing reductions in Medicaid and food stamps to fund tax breaks.
- The Senate is ensuring compliance with procedural rules by consulting the parliamentarian, as they prepare to vote on the comprehensive 'Big Beautiful Bill'.
- The latest Senate version raises the SALT deduction cap to $40,000 for couples earning up to $500,000 and includes a work requirement for able-bodied adults to qualify for benefits.
- The bill proposes significant changes to SNAP and aims to increase the debt ceiling by $5 trillion, alongside plans for the potential sale of public lands for energy production.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the legislation as contentious, highlighting divisions within the Republican Party and the potential negative impacts on vulnerable populations. They express skepticism about the bill's benefits, emphasizing the challenges and criticisms surrounding welfare cuts and healthcare access, reflecting a cautious perspective on the proposed tax and spending measures.
The legislation includes an extension of key components of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by Republicans, as well as new cuts campaigned on by Trump, such as a tax deduction on Social Security benefits and the elimination of taxes on overtime work and tips, with a focus on extending the tax cuts set to expire in 2025.
The bill proposes raising the debt ceiling by $5 trillion, exceeding the $4 trillion limit set by the House-passed bill.
The House narrowly passed a tax and spending measure addressing the president's priorities last month.
The Senate parliamentarian provides input on amendments to ensure compliance with chamber procedures, which Republicans have been contending with.
The latest Senate version of the package increases the state and local tax deduction cap to $40,000, but it will revert back to $10,000 after five years.
The Senate bill includes changes to SNAP, shifting costs to some states, which provides food benefits to low-income Americans.
Contentious measures, including restrictions on Medicaid, remain in place in the legislation, affecting millions of low-income and disabled Americans.
Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin stated on Fox & Friends that he will be voting 'no' on the bill, citing the need for additional time to review it.
Senate Republicans released a 940-page bill outlining President Trump's spending and tax agenda.
The budget proposal includes increased spending for border security, defense, and energy production, partially offset by cuts to healthcare, nutrition programs, Medicaid, SNAP, and clean energy funding.
The Senate version of the bill proposes selling up to 0.5% of public lands in 11 states for logging and oil, gas, and coal production, potentially leading to the largest sale of public lands in history.
The legislation would extend tax cuts, create new ones, increase military spending, and enhance border security.
Rank-and-file Republicans are divided on cutting welfare programs to fund Trump tax breaks, with some lawmakers opposing reductions to Medicaid, food stamps, and other programs.
Articles (8)
Center (6)
"…Senate Republicans are racing to pass a budget bill that is pivotal to President Donald Trump's second-term agenda ahead of a self-imposed 4 July deadline."
BBC News·3d·"…The legislation includes restrictions on Medicaid, which provides government-sponsored health care for low-income and disabled Americans."
CBS News·3d·"…The success of Trump's domestic agenda for tax cuts and border security hangs in the balance."
USA TODAY·3d·"…People who rely on Medicaid access and funds for federal food aid would come out on the short end of the stick under the plan, too."
USA TODAY·3d·"…Senate Republican leaders released text of their 940-page bill on Friday, with the goal of beginning votes on it Saturday."
NBC News·3d·"…The weekend session could be a make-or-break moment for Trump's party, which has invested much of its political capital on his signature domestic policy plan."
ABC News·3d·FAQ
The main points of contention among Senate Republicans are cuts to welfare programs, specifically reductions in Medicaid and food stamps, which some Republicans oppose as a way to fund tax breaks.
The Senate version raises the SALT deduction cap to $40,000 for couples earning up to $500,000 and includes a work requirement for able-bodied adults to qualify for benefits. It also proposes significant changes to SNAP and aims to increase the debt ceiling by $5 trillion.
The Senate is consulting the parliamentarian to ensure the tax and spending bill complies with procedural rules as they prepare to vote on the comprehensive 'Big Beautiful Bill'.
The bill includes plans for the potential sale of public lands for energy production.
The Senate Republicans aim to pass the tax and spending bill by the July Fourth deadline.
History
- 3d3 articles
