After weeks of Republican infighting and a dramatic weekend session, President Trump’s signature “One Big, Beautiful Bill” is finally making headway in Congress.
The sprawling measure advanced late Saturday night when the Senate voted 51-49 to move the legislation forward. Only two Republicans — Rand Paul and Thom Tillis — broke ranks to oppose the bill. Tillis, who announced on Sunday that he will not seek re-election, has compared himself to political independents Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, positioning himself as an unpredictable voice in the chamber.
While the narrow vote was a breakthrough for GOP leaders, it didn’t come without delay tactics. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer forced Republicans to endure a marathon reading of all 940 pages of the bill — a process that stretched over 15 hours and did not conclude until Sunday afternoon.
With the procedural hurdle cleared, the Senate now moves into a new phase of debate. Lawmakers have up to 20 hours to argue the merits of the bill before launching into a so-called “vote-a-rama.” This rapid-fire session allows senators to propose and vote on an unlimited number of amendments, potentially stretching the process into an all-day affair.
The outcome of the amendment votes could reshape major portions of the legislation and determine whether the fragile coalition that advanced the bill can hold together. Only after this process will the Senate be able to take a final vote on passage.
Even if the bill clears the Senate, it faces an uncertain future in the House, where deep divisions remain among Republicans over spending levels and policy details. Negotiators will have to reconcile competing priorities before the legislation can reach President Trump’s desk for his signature.
Source: Couric Media