Key Takeaways:
- Senate Republicans are resisting President Trump’s push to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act by July 4.
- The bill includes tax and spending cuts but faces opposition due to Medicaid cuts and debt ceiling concerns.
- Some GOP senators worry the timeline is unrealistic and want deeper spending cuts.
- Democrats are united in opposition, calling the bill “destructive” and harmful.
- The bill’s fate is uncertain as Republican divisions grow.
A Rushed Timeline and Rising Opposition
President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson are pushing Senate Republicans to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act by July 4. But many Senate Republicans think the timeline is unrealistic. The bill, which squeaked through the House before Memorial Day, aims to turn Trump’s campaign promises into law. It includes tax and spending cuts, but analysts warn it could add over $2 trillion to budget deficits and leave millions without Medicaid.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) is one of the few Senate Republicans Trump has called personally. Johnson admits the timeline is unrealistic and is using spending charts to convince fellow Republicans that the bill doesn’t do enough to reduce federal spending. “We have to bend the deficit curve down,” Johnson said, showing a chart to reporters.
Divisions Within the GOP
Not all Republicans are on board with the bill. Some, like Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), are angry about the $5 trillion debt ceiling increase included in the package. “This means we’re going to borrow $5 trillion more,” Paul said. “It’s not serious about cutting spending.”
Trump fired back at Paul on social media, calling his ideas “crazy” and saying, “Rand votes NO on everything.” But Paul isn’t alone. A growing number of Republicans want steeper spending cuts, and some are even fighting to protect Medicaid from cuts.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), a conservative who rarely splits from Trump, says the president agrees with him on no Medicaid cuts. “He reiterated that he wants no Medicaid benefit cuts,” Hawley said. Other Republican senators, like Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME), also vow to oppose the bill if Medicaid cuts remain.
Democrats seize the moment
As Republicans fight among themselves, Democrats are united in their opposition. They call the bill “one of the most destructive pieces of legislation” in U.S. history.
Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) said the bill goes against everything Republicans used to stand for, like fiscal responsibility and investing in the future. “It’s a massive act of self-deception,” Welch said.
In battleground states like Arizona and Michigan, Democrats say voters are unhappy with the bill. “What I hear from my constituents does not include the word ‘beautiful,’” said Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ).
Meanwhile, Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) reported “deep uncertainty” among business leaders and unions in her state. “It was pretty much the only talk of the island,” she said after attending a bipartisan conference on Mackinac Island.
Economic Uncertainty Looms
The bill’s impact on the economy is a major concern. If passed, it could lead to millions losing health coverage and add trillions to the national debt. Senators like Ron Johnson and Rand Paul argue that without major changes, the bill won’t stop the growing deficit.
Johnson wants to make the debt ceiling smaller to force Congress to cut spending next year. “If I can convince President Trump to do a debt ceiling for a year, that would put pressure on the process,” Johnson said.
But creating political will for these changes won’t be easy. The GOP is divided, and even some of Trump’s closest allies are still undecided.
The Bill’s Uncertain Future
As negotiations continue, the bill’s fate remains unclear. Senate Republicans need 50 votes to pass it, but they’re still short. Some senators, like Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), are undecided. “I’m a maybe right now,” Tuberville said. “Every day something will change.”
Speaker Johnson has urged senators not to change the bill too much, fearing it could lose support in the House. But with so many Republicans demanding changes, it’s unclear if the bill will pass by July 4—or at all.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) remains optimistic, calling the delays “just negotiations.” But time is running out, and the pressure is on.
The battle over the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is far from over. With Republican divisions growing and Democrats united in opposition, the road ahead for Trump’s budget plan is anything but smooth.