The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate has narrowly advanced President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax-cut and spending bill, setting the stage for a heated debate. In a marathon weekend session marked by political drama and delays, lawmakers voted 51-49 to open debate on the 940-page megabill.
Two Republican senators, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Rand Paul of Kentucky, joined Democrats in opposing the legislation. The bill aims to fund President Trump’s key priorities, including immigration, border security, tax cuts, and military spending.
President Trump celebrated the procedural victory on social media, calling it a “great victory” for his “great, big, beautiful bill.”
Democrats, attempting to slow the bill’s progress, demanded that the entire document be read aloud in the chamber—a process that could delay the start of the debate until Sunday afternoon. They argue that the tax cuts would disproportionately benefit the wealthy at the expense of social programs for lower-income Americans.
“Senate Republicans are scrambling to pass a radical bill, released to the public in the dead of night, praying the American people don’t realize what’s in it,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer on the Senate floor. “Democrats are going to force this chamber to read it from start to finish.”
Once the bill has been read, the Senate will begin up to 20 hours of debate, followed by a marathon amendment session known as a “vote-a-rama” before voting on the bill’s passage. Lawmakers hope to complete work on the legislation by Monday.
Senators Tillis and Paul faced criticism from President Trump for their opposition. Tillis opposed the bill due to its proposed cuts to Medicaid, which he believes would harm residents of his home state, North Carolina. With Tillis up for reelection next year, Trump hinted at supporting a primary challenge against him, stating, “Numerous people have come forward wanting to run in the Primary against ‘Senator Thom’ Tillis. I will be meeting with them over the coming weeks.”
Rand Paul objected to the bill because it would raise the federal borrowing limit by an additional $5 trillion, adding to the $36.2 trillion U.S. debt. Trump expressed his frustration on social media, saying, “Did Rand Paul Vote ‘NO’ again tonight? What’s wrong with this guy???”
