Senate Republicans cleared a major GOP bill procedural hurdle after tense negotiations that nearly derailed the legislation. This procedural victory opened the way for a marathon debate on President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.”
The key procedural vote took place late Saturday night after the GOP unveiled a fresh version of the 940-page bill just before midnight. Almost all Senate Republicans voted yes, except Sens. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Rand Paul, R-Ky. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., needed just three votes to pass this hurdle.
The vote ended 51-49 along party lines, but it almost collapsed amid drama. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., flipped his vote from no to yes at the last moment. He joined Sens. Rick Scott, R-Fla., Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., and Mike Lee, R-Utah, who walked to the floor with Vice President JD Vance in tow.
Vance was ready to break a potential tie but only used his negotiating skills instead. Republican leaders kept the Senate floor open for nearly four hours as negotiations dragged on from the chamber to Thune’s office.
However, the bill won’t go to debate immediately. Senate Democrats plan to slow the process by forcing clerks to read the entire 940-page GOP bill procedural hurdle bill aloud on the Senate floor. This reading could last many hours and stretch deep into the night.
The bill’s future remained uncertain after closed-door meetings Friday and another lunch session Saturday. Senators expressed concerns about Medicaid, energy tax credits, and the SALT deduction. These issues almost blocked the bill’s progress.
Still, last-minute changes helped satisfy some holdouts and comply with Senate rules. The Senate parliamentarian removed several provisions that had to be rewritten.
The Medicaid provider tax rate stayed mostly the same but will start a year later. To win over moderates like Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Josh Hawley, R-Mo., the bill included a $25 billion rural hospital stabilization fund over five years.
Collins said she’d back the bill through the procedural vote but remains uncertain about final passage. “If the bill doesn’t change further, I will lean against it,” she said, “but this procedural vote to debate and amend is appropriate.”
Tillis also opposed the bill, hoping for a version closer to the House GOP’s. He vowed not to support the final passage.
The SALT deduction survived, but with a $40,000 cap for five years, before reverting to $10,000. Other sweeteners included nutrition waivers for Alaska and tax cuts for whaling boat captains, winning support from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.
Lee withdrew his controversial open lands sale provision, easing tensions with lawmakers from Montana and Idaho. Despite the procedural hurdle, Republicans plan to use the upcoming “vote-a-rama” to propose unlimited amendments. They hope to adjust the bill before the final vote.
Democrats, in turn, will try to use vote-a-rama to challenge Republicans as much as possible. After vote-a-rama ends—possibly early Monday—lawmakers will vote on sending the amended bill back to the House. Then, the race will be on to deliver the package to President Trump by July 4.
Trump has promised to sign the bill. A White House memo said, “President Trump is committed to keeping his promises. Failure to pass this bill would be the ultimate betrayal.” The GOP bill procedural hurdle cleared, but the fight over the bill is far from over.
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