On Tuesday, senators from both parties in the United States Congress expressed their intention to hold a final vote in the Senate within a few hours on the comprehensive tax and spending bill, also known as the “Big and Beautiful Act.”
The “Big and Beautiful Act” is a comprehensive tax and spending bill proposed by President Trump, which includes permanently extending the expiring 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, as well as introducing tax policies targeting tips, overtime pay, and factory construction. Additionally, it aims to reduce spending on welfare programs such as Medicaid for low-income individuals and disabled persons by increasing work requirements and implementing more frequent eligibility reviews. Moreover, the bill plans to allocate billions of dollars for border security and national defense.
Due to the sensitivity of welfare-related political issues, there is severe bipartisan disagreement, and differing opinions within the Republican Party as well. While Republicans hold the majority in the Senate, they can only afford up to three opposing votes.
The voting process on the bill has been ongoing from last Saturday to Tuesday, with overnight sessions, including reading the full 940-page bill for 15 to 16 hours and nearly 50 amendment votes, setting a new record for consecutive votes in the Senate’s “vote-a-rama.”
Vice President Pence arrived at the Capitol on Tuesday, hoping to push forward President Trump’s domestic policy agenda before July 4th with the members of Congress.
Oregon Democratic Senator Ron Wyden expressed that he had only slept for one hour at the moment. “We are waiting to see if they (Republicans) have enough votes,” he said.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune told the media on Tuesday morning that he believes an agreement has been reached with Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, to pass the “Big and Beautiful Act” with close to all Republican support.
However, he also cautioned that he is a “realist” and would not consider everything complete before the final vote.
When asked if an agreement had been reached as he walked from the Senate to his office, Thune replied, “I believe we have reached one.”
“But, as I said, I’m of Scandinavian descent, so I am always more realistic. We will wait and see,” he added.
The Hill cited an insider who stated that Senate members have approved language modifications to alleviate the impact of Medicaid and food stamp cuts on Alaska.
President Trump stated on Tuesday that he hopes the bill can pass by around “July 4th.”
When asked if he believes Congress can pass the bill before July 4th, the President answered that he hopes so.
Regarding whether he is willing to postpone the deadline, he acknowledged the many challenges the bill has faced during the process of passing through the Senate and House of Representatives.