Senate Moves Trump's Spending Plan Forward Amid GOP Disagreements

The Senate took a significant step late Saturday night, advancing President Donald Trump's spending plan with a narrow vote of 51 in favor and 49 against. Two Republicans, Thom Tillis and Rand Paul, joined Democrats in opposing the move.

Trump Celebrates Victory

President Trump quickly celebrated the win on Truth Social, calling it a "GREAT VICTORY." However, the fight is far from over. The bill still has to go through a lengthy debate and voting process, which could take hours or even days. Democrats plan to delay the vote as much as possible, so a final decision might not come until Monday.

Schumer Adds Hurdle

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer added another obstacle by requesting a full reading of the 940-page bill. This process was still ongoing Sunday morning at 10 a.m. EDT.

Republican Disagreements

The latest version of the bill was released on Friday, and Republicans believe it can pass even if a few of their members vote against it. However, there is still significant disagreement within the GOP about parts of the bill, including cuts to Medicaid, raising the debt ceiling, and tax deductions.

Elon Musk's Criticism

Elon Musk, who has had a falling out with Trump over the bill, called it "utterly insane and disgusting." He argued that it would destroy millions of jobs and hurt the country. The bill includes $4 trillion in tax cuts, money for border security, and changes to student loan repayment options. It also raises child tax credits and makes some changes to immigration services. However, it includes significant cuts to Medicaid, which some Republicans and Democrats oppose.

Republican Concerns

Some Republicans, such as Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Ron Johnson, have expressed reservations about the bill. They have issues with different parts of it, including the cuts to Medicaid and the provision that bars Medicaid funding from abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. The bill's impact on the national debt is also a major concern. The Congressional Budget Office stated that it would increase the federal deficit by $2.8 trillion by 2034.

Deadline Uncertainty

Trump and Republican leaders have indicated that they might miss their July 4 deadline for passing the bill, but they are still hopeful to get it done.