The Republican-led US Senate approved President Donald Trump’s domestic policy bill on Tuesday by the narrowest of margins, despite concerns over deep welfare cuts and an additional $3 trillion in national debt.Republican leaders struggled to secure support during a record 24-hour “vote-a-rama” amendment session on the Senate floor, as Democrats introduced multiple challenges to the most contentious provisions of the bill.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune convinced two moderate Republicans who had considered siding with Democrats, securing a 50-50 vote. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote, AFP reported.
The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, where it faces unified Democratic opposition and resistance from several Republicans over proposed cuts to healthcare and food aid for low-income Americans.Trump’s legislation proposes a $4.5 trillion extension of his first-term tax cuts, offset by $1.2 trillion in savings, primarily from Medicaid, which could affect coverage for an estimated 12 million low-income and disabled individuals.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune convinced two moderate Republicans who had considered siding with Democrats, securing a 50-50 vote. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote, AFP reported.
The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, where it faces unified Democratic opposition and resistance from several Republicans over proposed cuts to healthcare and food aid for low-income Americans.Trump’s legislation proposes a $4.5 trillion extension of his first-term tax cuts, offset by $1.2 trillion in savings, primarily from Medicaid, which could affect coverage for an estimated 12 million low-income and disabled individuals.
The bill also includes the rollback of billions of dollars in green energy tax credits and allocates $350 billion for border security and Trump’s mass migrant deportation programme.
The president said he aims to have the bill passed by the House and signed into law by Friday’s July 4 Independence Day holiday, though he acknowledged the timeline could shift.
“It’s going to get in, it’s going to pass, and we’re going to be very happy,” he told reporters upon arriving in Florida to inspect new migrant detention facilities.
