Senate Democrats force full bill reading to slow the progress of Senate Republicans as they rush to pass President Donald Trump’s controversial legislation. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., intends to use a procedural tactic to delay the bill’s advance by requiring clerks to read the entire 940-page GOP bill aloud on the Senate floor.
Schumer argues that the Republicans are pushing forward without fully revealing the bill’s details to the public. “I will object to Republicans moving forward on their Big, Ugly Bill without reading it on the Senate floor,” he said on X, emphasizing transparency. To ensure every provision is laid bare, Schumer declared, “We will be here all night if that’s what it takes to read it.”
Indeed, Senate clerks were seen bringing the massive bill onto the floor, signaling the start of an extended reading session. This tactic could consume up to 15 hours, providing Democrats extra time to scrutinize the legislation’s complex elements. Although this strategy serves mainly to slow the process, Senate Republicans remain determined to proceed with their planned vote.
After the reading concludes, the Senate will begin a 20-hour debate split equally between Democrats and Republicans. Democrats plan to use their entire 10-hour allocation, while Republicans likely will take less time. Following this, the Senate will enter the “vote-a-rama” phase, allowing lawmakers to propose unlimited amendments.
During vote-a-rama, Democrats aim to pressure Republicans further and challenge controversial sections of the bill. Meanwhile, some Republican senators continue negotiating changes to key Medicaid and land sale provisions.
This reading tactic isn’t new. The last time clerks read an entire bill during budget reconciliation was in 2021. Then, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., insisted on reading aloud the 600-plus page American Rescue Plan. At that time, Schumer, as Senate Majority Leader, opposed the move to speed up legislation under President Joe Biden’s agenda.
By forcing a full bill reading, Senate Democrats force full bill reading hope to expose the bill’s details and slow down what they call a rushed legislative push. This move underlines deep partisan divides over transparency and process as lawmakers gear up for a decisive vote.
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