The US Senate, led by Republicans, has passed legislation known as the 'big beautiful bill,' which includes tax and spending priorities of President Donald Trump.
Legislation Approval Process
The bill was passed with a tie of 50-50, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. The process began on Saturday and concluded with a 24-hour vote-a-rama. The bill now returns to the House of Representatives, which previously passed its version of the bill.
Criticism and Support
Three Republicans voted against the measure, including Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. Among the supporters, senators discussed boosting funding for rural hospitals, which raised the funding amount to $50 billion to attract Collins' support. She had previously proposed an increase, but her amendment was rejected.
Tax Changes and Project Funding
The legislation makes changes to the Medicaid program, including work requirements and lowering provider taxes from 6% to 3.5%. The legislation is expected to result in nearly 12 million fewer people with health insurance over the next decade. Additionally, the bill raises the cap on state and local tax deductions to $40,000 for five years.
The passed legislation has sparked controversy and discussions regarding its impact on the deficit and health insurance; however, support from Republicans bodes well for its implementation.
