US Senate Begins Vote-A-Rama on Megabill Ahead July 4

The U.S. Senate is intensely debating President Donald Trump’s expansive tax and spending package known as the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” aiming for final passage by early July. Senate Republicans advanced the bill to general debate with a narrow 51-49 vote, preparing for a lengthy "vote-a-rama" featuring dozens of amendments, where Democrats plan to highlight controversial provisions like Medicaid cuts and tax breaks for the wealthy. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has employed procedural tactics, including forcing a full reading of the 940-page bill, to slow the process and raise public awareness. Republican opposition within the party remains significant, with key senators like Thom Tillis opposing the bill due to Medicaid cuts and others, such as Rand Paul and Ron Johnson, concerned about its impact on the national debt, placing reliance on Vice President JD Vance to break potential ties. Despite ongoing intra-party negotiations and attempts to comply with reconciliation rules, Senate GOP leadership remains hopeful to pass the bill before the July 4th deadline. President Trump has strongly endorsed the legislation, framing its failure as a betrayal of his commitments.