US senators debated late into Sunday morning over Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a deeply controversial spending proposal that aims to cement key elements of the former president’s domestic agenda while slashing major social welfare programmes.
The sweeping legislation, which would extend Trump’s expiring first-term tax cuts at a cost of \$4.5 trillion and boost border security, has sharply divided Republicans as they look ahead to the 2026 midterm elections. Critics warn it could strip health coverage from millions of low-income Americans and add over \$3 trillion to the national debt.
The Senate officially opened debate on the bill late Saturday after hours of delay, as internal GOP disagreements stalled what should have been a routine procedural vote. The motion eventually passed by a narrow 51–49 margin, with Vice President JD Vance stepping in to negotiate with holdouts.
Two Republican senators broke ranks to join all 47 Democrats in voting against advancing the bill.
Trump, eager to see the legislation enacted before July 4, celebrated the vote to begin debate. “Tonight we saw a GREAT VICTORY in the Senate,” he posted on Truth Social, urging Republicans to press ahead. In an earlier message, he accused Democrats of wanting to “see our Country go down in flames.”
Democrats remain firmly opposed, calling the bill a reckless and harmful attempt to rewrite the nation’s priorities. They delayed proceedings by demanding the entire 1,000-page text be read aloud on the Senate floor — a move expected to take up to 15 hours.
“Republicans won’t tell America what’s in the bill,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. “So Democrats are forcing it to be read start to finish… We’ll stay all night if we have to.”
If passed, the bill would return to the House for final approval, but opposition within the Republican ranks could complicate that process.
To offset the \$4.5 trillion tax cuts, the bill proposes steep reductions to Medicaid, threatening rural hospitals and jeopardising health coverage for an estimated 8.6 million Americans. It would also reverse many clean energy incentives introduced under President Joe Biden.
Former Trump adviser Elon Musk, now estranged from the ex-president, denounced the bill as “utterly insane and destructive,” arguing it props up outdated industries while harming future innovation.
Independent analysis suggests the proposal would result in a major shift in wealth — from the poorest Americans to the richest — and polls show the bill is widely unpopular across various demographics.
Though the House has already passed its version, both chambers must agree on an identical version before it can be signed into law.
