WASHINGTON, D.C., July 1 (ANI): In a dramatic late-night session, U.S. Vice President JD Vance cast the decisive tie-breaking vote on Tuesday as the Senate narrowly passed the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act,” a sweeping Republican legislative package, according to The Hill.
The bill passed by a razor-thin 51–50 margin following intense weekend negotiations and a grueling 27-hour marathon of amendment votes. Republican leaders fought to unify their caucus and overcome internal resistance in order to deliver a major legislative victory for President Donald Trump.
The GOP megabill includes sweeping tax cuts, significant reductions to federal assistance programs, and substantial changes in energy and immigration policies. Despite unified Democratic opposition and defections from three Republican senators—Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine)—Republicans secured the votes needed after winning over Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).
Murkowski had expressed strong reservations about the bill’s proposed cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs (SNAP) that would heavily affect her constituents. An initial carve-out for Alaska was struck down by Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough for violating the Byrd Rule, which limits what may be included in a budget reconciliation measure.
To address this, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) revised the provision. They expanded the SNAP waiver to cover the ten states with the highest benefit error rates, including Alaska, allowing for a more phased reduction in aid.
Following hours of negotiations, Murkowski eventually agreed to support the bill, giving Republicans the critical 50th vote—enabling Vice President Vance to step in and cast the tie-breaking vote.
Despite the Senate passage, the bill now faces formidable opposition in the House. At least six Republican lawmakers have voiced concerns over the proposed Medicaid cuts, repeal of clean energy incentives, and alterations to the state and local tax (SALT) deduction provisions included in the House version of the bill. Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is also expected to vote “no,” citing the bill’s projected $3 trillion addition to the national debt.
According to The Hill, the legislation authorizes $160 billion for border security and immigration enforcement, increases defense spending by $150 billion, and raises the national debt ceiling by $5 trillion.
The bill also extends and expands the 2017 Trump tax cuts, introduces tax exemptions for tipped income and overtime pay, creates deductions for interest on U.S.-manufactured auto loans, establishes “Trump Savings Accounts” for minors, and phases out renewable energy tax credits included in the Inflation Reduction Act.
Republicans have hailed the bill as a landmark win that reflects their economic and national security priorities. However, some within the GOP remain uneasy about its long-term implications, particularly the deep cuts to social safety net programs and the ballooning national debt.
The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, where Speaker Mike Johnson faces the formidable task of unifying a divided Republican majority to push through one of the most ambitious legislative efforts of Trump’s political legacy.
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