The U.S. Senate took a major step on Saturday when lawmakers voted 51-49 to open debate on President Donald Trump's massive 940-page tax-cut and spending 'megabill'. This narrow margin underscores deep divisions over a package that covers immigration, border security, tax cuts and military priorities.
Behind the scenes, GOP leaders and Vice President JD Vance held marathon negotiations to sway last-minute skeptics. Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, demanded that the chamber read every line aloud—a procedural move that could delay real debate until Sunday afternoon.
International investors and markets are watching closely, as the final form of this legislation could influence U.S. fiscal policy and global economic trends.
Schumer argued that the bill's tax cuts would heavily favor the wealthy and come at the expense of social programs for lower-income communities. 'Senate Republicans are scrambling to pass a radical bill, released to the public in the dead of night,' he said on the Senate floor.
The debate phase will last up to 20 hours, followed by a marathon 'vote-a-rama' of unlimited amendments. Lawmakers aim to wrap up by Monday, making this one of the most closely watched legislative showdowns in recent memory.
Two Republicans broke ranks: Senator Thom Tillis objected to Medicaid cuts he warned would hurt North Carolina, while Senator Rand Paul opposed raising the federal borrowing limit on the $36.2 trillion U.S. debt by another $5 trillion.
President Trump took to social media to praise the vote as a 'great victory' for his 'big, beautiful bill' and to criticize Tillis and Paul for their 'no' votes. With the battleground shifting to the amendment stage, all eyes remain on Capitol Hill as senators balance party loyalty, fiscal concerns and public pressure.
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Trump's vast tax-cut, spending bill clears first U.S. Senate hurdle
cgtn.com
