The US Senate has approved a wide-reaching tax policy championed by President Donald Trump, dispatching the controversial measure to the House of Representatives for a vote that could be decisive. The legislation, passed in the Republican-led chamber by a margin of 51 to 50 following Vice President JD Vance’s tie-breaking vote, marks the end of a 27-hour debate during which three Republicans joined Democrats in opposition. The bill includes Trump’s signature tax cuts, reduced spending for social welfare programs, and increased expenditure on border enforcement and deportations, drawing criticism for its estimated addition of $3.3 trillion to the national debt, and for reducing support for low-income families through programs such as Medicaid and SNAP.
Trump, who celebrated the bill’s progress during a press conference in Florida, expressed optimism for its passage in the House, predicting an easierapproval than in the Senate. Despite mixed Republican support, with members Thom Tillis, Rand Paul, and Susan Collins opposing the bill, andberaing over the legislative process, the Senate’s top Democrat, Chuck Schumer, denounced the bill’s impact, criticizing Republicans for enacting what he described as the largest tax break for billionaires while cutting healthcare for millions. Schumer also highlighted the official title change from Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” as a symbolic victory for Democrats.
The bill’s fiscal implications have sparked debate, with conservatives in the House expressing concerns over its deficit impact and billionaire Elon Musk criticizing the bill and its potential to increase the national debt. Trump responded to Musk’s critiques by suggesting that DOGE, an organization Musk helped establish, might challenge him if the bill is approved. Public approval for the measure has reportedly waned as more details emerge, with polls showing a majority of Americans against the legislation.
The legislation aims to extend Trump’s 2017 tax reductions, introduce new tax reliefs, and increase funding for immigration control measures while reducing tax incentives for electric vehicles and scaling back Biden-era programs for renewable energy. Republicans argue that these changes would make social welfare programs more sustainable, though nonpartisan analysts warn of possible adverse effects on economic growth, borrowing costs, and government spending in the future.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/1/senate-passes-trumps-one-big-beautiful-bill-sending-it-to-house?traffic_source=rss
