Senate Rejects Medicaid Cuts for Illegal Immigrants 56-44

The Senate voted 56-44 against a Republican amendment to remove Medicaid benefits from illegal immigrants as part of President Donald Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill.' The amendment, introduced by Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn, aimed to reduce federal Medicaid payments to states providing healthcare to illegal immigrants charged or convicted of serious crimes, but failed to reach the 60-vote threshold needed. Four Democrats—Sens. Jon Ossoff, Raphael Warnock, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Maggie Hassan—joined Republicans in support, while Republican Senator Susan Collins voted against the amendment alongside most Democrats. Cornyn criticized the opposition, accusing Democrats of siding with criminals over vulnerable American citizens. The vote occurred during a marathon Senate session, or 'vote-a-rama,' to finalize the bill. The Senate Parliamentarian's role in blocking provisions like this has drawn criticism from some Republicans.