Senate Begins Marathon Voting on Trump’s Domestic Policy Bill
Senate Voting Session on Trump’s Bill Begins and Faces Challenges
The Senate has initiated an extensive voting session on President Donald Trump’s ambitious domestic policy bill following a lengthy weekend of negotiations. Senate Majority Leader John Thune addressed the chamber this morning, expressing hope that Republicans would have a clearer picture of the votes needed to pass the bill soon. “This may take a little while,” he added, emphasising the uncertainties that lie ahead as the vote-a-rama unfolds, which will include a rapid series of votes on a mixture of amendments—some of which are strategic while others are substantial in nature. This session presents Republicans a chance for last-minute tweaks while putting Democrats in a position to expose the administration’s vulnerabilities. The outcome is vital, considering how these politically charged votes may come back to haunt lawmakers in future campaigns.
Republicans and Democrats Brace for Contentious Debates
Trump’s monumental multitrillion-dollar bill aims to slash federal taxes while allocating increased funds for both the Pentagon and border security measures. However, it would significantly reduce government safety-net programmes such as Medicaid, a point that Democrats are likely to target in their opposition messaging. Following a dramatic delay tactic by Senate Democrats over the weekend—where clerks read aloud the entire bill for upwards of 12 hours—the stage was set for a lengthy debate that continued into the early hours of Monday. When the Senate reconvened at 9 a.m. ET, lawmakers began proposing amendments amidst the pushing deadline for the president’s signature by the Fourth of July, which adds pressure to the legislative process.
Historic Cuts Proposed for Medicaid Programme
A crucial aspect of the bill that is under scrutiny is its impact on Medicaid, with some Republicans closely monitoring any amendments that could alter coverage provisions. The Congressional Budget Office, in a recent analysis, estimates that the Senate bill may leave an additional 11.8 million Americans without health insurance by the year 2034, surpassing the House version’s predicted 10.9 million. Both legislative chambers aim for historic spending cuts to Medicaid, which supports over 71 million low-income individuals, including vulnerable populations like children and seniors. Notably, the Senate bill proposes deeper cuts to Medicaid with a staggering $930 billion reduction over the next decade, raising significant concerns over the potential implications for public health and welfare.
Cost Implications of the Legislation Raised
The first vote of the day tackled procedural issues regarding the current policy baseline and funding calculations for the bill. It may sound technical, but this technique could influence how both political parties approach tax legislation in the future. Trump and GOP leaders like Senate Finance Chairman Mike Crapo support a scoring method that underestimates the bill’s fiscal effects by excluding costs of the 2017 expiring tax cuts. In contrast, the CBO’s analysis projects that the bill could add nearly $3.3 trillion to the deficit over the next decade, highlighting a key difference in financial strategy between the Senate and House proposals. Experts are noting that while the Senate version embodies higher tax cuts, it also reduces some spending cuts, leading to greater budgetary consequences down the line.
