President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” barreled through the Senate after a marathon, high-stakes vote-a-rama that had lawmakers chugging coffee like college students in finals week. The $3.3 trillion package, which includes popular tax breaks for tipped wages and overtime pay, hikes the SALT cap, and delivers massive defense and border security funding, is now poised for a fierce fight in the House.
Every Senate Democrat voted to crush small businesses by opposing the permanent deduction, immediate R&D expensing, and much more. https://t.co/7j84QV5kXT
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 1, 2025
Republicans held together in a remarkable show of unity, except for Sens. Thom Tillis, Rand Paul, and Susan Collins, forcing Vice President JD Vance to swoop in with a tie-breaking vote. President Trump’s sweeping bill raises the national debt limit by $5 trillion while adding new work requirements for Medicaid and changes to SNAP, a move that sparked fierce opposition from Senate Democrats.
Even with hours of Democrat stall tactics, protests in the gallery, and a cascade of amendments, the GOP held the line. “We’re talking to the House,” Sen. Markwayne Mullin said, acknowledging the coming battle with the House Freedom Caucus, which is grumbling over what it sees as shallow cuts, and moderates worried about Medicaid reductions.