Washington, D.C. — A contentious budget proposal in the U.S. Senate poses significant risks, potentially affecting health insurance for nearly 12 million Americans and increasing the national debt by $3.3 trillion, according to recent assessments by the Congressional Budget Office. The findings complicate Republican efforts to advance President Donald Trump’s major legislative initiative, referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
On Saturday, the Senate narrowly passed a preliminary vote on the bill by a 51-49 margin after intense lobbying from party leaders aimed at rallying undecided members. Notably, Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who has decided not to seek reelection, voted against the proposal, joining Democratic senators in their opposition. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky also opposed the bill, citing concerns over its impact on the national debt.
As debate continued on Sunday, the level of support for the legislation remained uncertain. The Republican majority in the Senate, holding 53 seats, can only afford to lose three votes, highlighting the precarious nature of the vote as it approaches the final stages. Vice President JD Vance holds the tie-breaking vote, adding pressure to the Republican leadership as they seek to maintain party unity.
Democrats utilized Senate procedures to instigate a lengthy 16-hour reading of the nearly 1,000-page document in an effort to delay the approval process. Senators are now allotted 20 hours for debate, which Democrats are expected to fully utilize in order to slow the momentum of the bill. Amendments to the legislation are still on the table, and should it pass the Senate, it will return to the House of Representatives for final consideration before heading to the president for signing.
Trump has emphasized the importance of passing the bill by a self-imposed July 4 deadline, calling its advancement a “great victory” on Saturday. The White House has warned that failure to pass the legislation would be seen as a significant setback for the administration.
Adding to the concerns, cuts proposed in the bill would impact critical healthcare programs, including Medicaid, a lifeline for many elderly, disabled, and low-income citizens. Democratic Senator Mark Warner condemned the proposal as harmful, stating, “This is tax cuts for the wealthiest that ultimately lead to cuts in healthcare, plain and simple.”
The proposed legislation also features tax cuts that would benefit over 80% of Americans next year, though wealthier individuals would reap the greatest rewards, according to analysis from the Tax Policy Center. In an attempt to address dissent among Republican senators worried about adverse effects on rural healthcare, a provision to increase funding for rural hospital relief has been added, raising the amount from $15 billion to $25 billion.
Key revisions within the budget blueprint include work requirements for most adults to qualify for Medicaid benefits and reductions on state tax capabilities that finance these healthcare programs. Furthermore, the bill proposes stricter conditions for food stamp eligibility, requiring most adults with children aged 14 and older to demonstrate proof of employment.
As the debate over this sweeping legislation intensifies, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are grappling with the potential implications for their constituents and the broader economy. The coming days will be crucial as Republicans strive to solidify support and push the bill forward amid growing scrutiny and criticism.