Senate Passes $1 Trillion Medicaid Cuts in Tax and Spending Bill

The U.S. Senate narrowly passed the "One Big, Beautiful Bill," a sweeping legislative package championed by President Donald Trump that includes over $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts over the next decade. The bill extends and expands Trump's 2017 tax cuts, increases funding for border security and national defense, and rolls back clean energy subsidies, but its deep reductions to Medicaid and other social programs have sparked strong opposition from Democrats and some Republicans. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that these Medicaid cuts, largely implemented through new work requirements and tighter eligibility rules, could cause nearly 12 to 17 million people to lose health insurance by 2034, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations such as rural communities, older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income families. Senate Republicans justified the bill as a means to support families, enhance military readiness, and lower energy costs, while critics warn the legislation will worsen access to healthcare and increase the uninsured rate. The bill passed 51-50 with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tie-breaking vote, despite opposition from three GOP senators and all Democrats. The legislation now returns to the House, where further challenges are anticipated.