Three Republican senators—Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin—broke ranks on Saturday late-night senate session as the chamber voted 51–49 to advance President Donald Trump’s sweeping One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Tillis and Paul opposed the motion outright, while Johnson initially voted no before switching after negotiations. Tillis cited concerns over deep Medicaid cuts, warning of adverse impacts on healthcare access in his state. Paul objected to a provision raising the national debt ceiling by USD 5 trillion. Johnson changed his vote following closed-door talks that addressed his deficit concerns. The nearly 940-page bill seeks to extend USD 3.8 trillion in Trump-era tax breaks, add new exemptions including no federal taxes on tips, and allocate USD 350 billion for national security and immigration enforcement. It proposes significant cuts to Medicaid, food stamps, and green energy programs to offset costs. A revised provision includes a USD 25 billion fund for rural hospitals, aimed at mitigating concerns over Medicaid provider tax reductions. The bill also raises the SALT deduction cap to USD 40,000 for five years and increases the national debt limit. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill could result in 11.8 million more uninsured Americans by 2034. It estimates food aid would drop for 3 million recipients. The wealthiest earners would see a USD 12,000 tax cut, while the poorest households could lose USD 1,600 annually. On Sunday, President Trump described the Senate’s procedural clearance as a “great victory.” “Tonight we saw a GREAT VICTORY in the Senate with the GREAT, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL,” he posted on Truth Social. He thanked Republican senators Rick Scott, Mike Lee, Ron Johnson, and Cynthia Lummis for their support. “They, along with all of the other Republican Patriots who voted for the Bill, are people who truly love our Country!” Trump wrote. He pledged to work with them to advance his economic agenda, citing goals to secure the border, reduce spending, and protect Second Amendment rights. In a separate post, Trump added, “VERY PROUD OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TONIGHT. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!” The bill was released late Friday night. Debate in the Senate is expected to continue through the weekend, with multiple amendments and votes ahead. If passed, the legislation will return to the House for final approval before heading to Trump’s desk.Also read | Donald Trump hails ‘great victory’ as his spending bill squeezes through Senate for debate
