President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” dubbed the “ultimate codification” of the MAGA agenda, is facing significant challenges in the Senate. Despite the bill’s unpopularity among the public, with a Quinnipiac University poll showing voters oppose the measure by 53% to 27%, Trump remains committed to its passage.
The bill, which extends vast tax cuts, hikes border security funding, and includes historic cuts to Medicaid, has been met with resistance from growing numbers of Republican lawmakers. According to Stephen Collinson’s analysis, the bill’s passage is uncertain, but it’s likely that something will pass, and Trump will declare it one of the most important pieces of legislation in US history.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The bill includes several key provisions, such as:
- Tax Cuts: The bill extends vast tax cuts, which would boost the deficit by $2.4 trillion, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
- Border Security Funding: The bill hikes border security funding, aligning with Trump’s mass deportation plans.
- Medicaid Cuts: The bill includes historic cuts to Medicaid, which could be devastating to rural hospitals, especially in many red states.
Several prominent GOP senators, including Josh Hawley of Missouri and Susan Collins of Maine, have warned they won’t vote for the bill if it contains certain tax maneuvers. Michigan Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin criticized the bill, saying Trump is trying to disguise a transfer of wealth to the rich with populist flourishes. “He’s thrown in some little pieces here and there that will be, I think, really important but, man, he is preferencing the very wealthy in this bill, and he’s trying to hide it by becoming the middle-class hero,” she said.
The bill’s timeline is tight, with Trump demanding a signing ceremony by July Fourth. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the chamber would need to pass the bill by the weekend, and then Speaker Mike Johnson would need to rally his majority to jam it through the House. “Everything is challenging, but they’re all speed bumps,” Thune said. “We have contingency plans, plan B and plan C. We’ll continue to litigate it.”
Despite the challenges, Trump remains confident, saying, “We don’t want to have grandstanders.” The bill’s passage would be a significant victory for Trump, cementing his legacy and further solidifying his hold on the GOP base.