Senate Republicans in the United States took a major step on Saturday toward passing former President Donald Trump’s sweeping economic legislation, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The bill proposes large-scale tax cuts, spending rollbacks, and increased funding for immigration enforcement.
In a late-night vote, the Senate approved a procedural motion 51-49, allowing formal debate to begin. Notably, two Republican senators broke ranks to join all Democrats in voting against the motion. Vice President JD Vance was on standby to cast a tie-breaking vote, though it wasn’t required.
Trump, pushing for the bill’s passage before Independence Day, spent the day at his Virginia golf course while several GOP lawmakers shared photos with him online. The nearly 940-page legislation was released late Friday, and a weekend of intense debate, amendments, and voting is now underway.
If passed by the Senate, the bill will return to the House of Representatives for a final vote before heading to Trump’s desk.
While Republicans control both chambers, internal divisions remain. Some GOP lawmakers have expressed concern over proposed cuts to social safety net programs like Medicaid and food stamps—measures intended to offset the $3.8 trillion in extended tax breaks included in the bill.
The White House strongly endorsed the legislation, calling it “critical to achieving the president’s agenda.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune urged lawmakers to move quickly: “It’s time to get this legislation across the finish line.”
However, criticism is mounting from both sides. Tech billionaire Elon Musk slammed the proposal, calling it “utterly insane and destructive” and warning it could “destroy millions of American jobs.”
As debate continues, the path to final passage remains uncertain, but Republicans remain determined to deliver a legislative win by July 4.
