While many were enjoying the weekend weather, the Senate was engaged in a lengthy session over the Big Beautiful Bill. Liberal Senators requested a reading of the nearly 1,000-page bill, delaying proceedings by almost 16 hours. The Senate resumed with amendment votes on Monday morning. These budget reconciliation bills allow for unlimited amendments, leading to extensive voting sessions known as vote-a-ramas.
The recent vote-a-rama set a record for amendment votes, with Liberal Senators attempting to slow down proceedings and challenge their conservative colleagues. Analysts are still reviewing the final details of the Senate-passed version of the Big Beautiful Bill, which includes increased border funding, codification of Trump-era tax cuts, enhanced military funding, and a significant debt limit increase.
Senate leadership managed to align its budget hawks but faced resistance from four other senators: Paul, Tillis, Collins, and Murkowski. Senator Paul opposed the debt limit increase from the start. Collins and Tillis objected to Medicaid provisions and could not be persuaded by Leader Thune. Senator Murkowski became a crucial swing vote after Alaska-specific provisions were added to gain her support. Her backing resulted in a 50-50 tie broken by Vice President JD Vance, sending the bill to the House where Speaker Mike Johnson plans a vote today.
Unexpectedly during this process, Senator Thom Tillis announced his retirement following opposition to Medicaid changes proposed in the bill. This decision came after President Trump encouraged a primary challenge against him due to his stance on Medicaid alterations that could affect North Carolinians’ coverage and state costs.
President Trump anticipates that the Big Beautiful Bill will become law before Friday’s celebrations.
