The US Senate narrowly passed President Donald Trump’s huge tax and spending invoice on Tuesday, following intense negotiations and a marathon voting session on amendments.
The invoice, which nonetheless faces a difficult path to ultimate approval within the Home of Representatives, would impose deep cuts to common well being and vitamin programmes, amongst different measures, whereas providing $4.5 trillion in tax reductions.
The measure was authorised after virtually 48 hours of debate and modification battles.
Here’s what it’s good to know:
What’s Trump’s ‘Huge, Stunning Invoice’?
The invoice is a chunk of laws that mixes tax cuts, spending hikes on defence and border safety, and cuts to social security nets into one large bundle.
The primary purpose of the invoice is to increase Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, that are set to run out on the finish of 2025. It will make most of those tax breaks everlasting, whereas additionally boosting spending on border safety, the navy and power tasks.
The invoice is partly funded by reducing healthcare and meals programmes.
The nonpartisan Congressional Funds Workplace estimates Trump’s measure will improve the US debt by $3.3 trillion over the subsequent 10 years. The US authorities at the moment owes its lenders $36.2 trillion.
The important thing facets of the invoice embody:
Tax cuts
In 2017, Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which lowered taxes and elevated the usual deduction for all taxpayers, but it surely primarily benefitted higher-income earners.
These tax breaks are set to run out this yr, however the brand new invoice would make them everlasting. It additionally provides some extra cuts he promised throughout his marketing campaign.
There’s a change to the US tax code referred to as the SALT deduction (State and Native Taxes). This lets taxpayers deduct sure state and native taxes (like earnings or property taxes) on their federal tax return.
At present, individuals can solely deduct as much as $10,000 of those taxes. The brand new invoice would increase that cap from $10,000 to $40,000 for 5 years.
Taxpayers would even be allowed to deduct earnings earned from suggestions and extra time, in addition to curiosity paid on loans for purchasing automobiles made within the US.
The laws accommodates about $4.5 trillion in tax cuts.
Kids
If the bill does not become law, the kid tax credit score – which is now $2,000 per baby annually – will fall to $1,000, beginning in 2026.
But when the Senate’s present model of the invoice is authorised, the credit score would rise to $2,200.
Border wall and safety
The invoice units apart about $350bn for Trump’s border and nationwide safety plans. This contains:
- $46bn for the US-Mexico border wall
- $45bn to fund 100,000 beds in migrant detention centres
- Billions extra to rent an additional 10,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) brokers by 2029 as a part of Trump’s plan to hold out the most important mass deportation effort in US historical past.
Cuts to Medicaid and different programmes
To assist offset the price of the tax cuts and new spending, Republicans plan to cut back Medicaid and meals help programmes for low-income households.
They are saying their purpose is to refocus these security web programmes on the teams they have been initially meant to assist, primarily pregnant ladies, individuals with disabilities and kids – whereas additionally decreasing what they name waste and abuse.
Medicaid helps People who’re poor and people with disabilities, whereas the Supplemental Diet Help Program (SNAP) helps individuals afford groceries.
At present, greater than 71 million individuals rely upon Medicaid, and 40 million obtain advantages by way of SNAP. In line with the Congressional Funds Workplace, the invoice would go away a further 11.8 million People with out medical health insurance by 2034 if it turns into legislation.
Clear power tax cuts
Republicans are pushing to considerably cut back tax incentives that assist clear power tasks powered by renewables like photo voltaic and wind. These tax breaks have been a key a part of former President Joe Biden’s landmark 2022 legislation, the Inflation Reduction Act, which aimed to sort out local weather change and scale back healthcare prices.
A tax break for individuals who purchase new or used electrical automobiles would expire on September 30 this yr if the invoice passes in its present kind, as an alternative of on the finish of 2032 beneath present legislation.
Debt restrict
The laws would increase the debt ceiling by $5 trillion, going past the $4 trillion outlined within the model handed by the Home in Could.
Who advantages most?
In line with Yale College’s Funds Lab, wealthier taxpayers are more likely to achieve extra from this invoice than lower-income People.
They estimate that folks within the lowest earnings bracket will see their incomes drop by 2.5 p.c, primarily due to cuts to SNAP and Medicaid, whereas the best earners will see their incomes rise by 2.2 p.c.
Which senators voted towards the invoice?
Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine opposed on account of deep Medicaid cuts affecting low-income households and rural healthcare.
I strongly assist extending the tax reduction for households and small companies. My vote towards this invoice stems primarily from the dangerous impression it’s going to have on Medicaid, affecting low-income households and rural well being care suppliers like our hospitals and nursing properties.
— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) July 1, 2025
Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina cited considerations over Medicaid reductions to his constituents. Tillis has introduced that he is not going to search re-election, amid threats from Trump that he would again a Republican challenger to Tillis.
The information matter. The individuals matter. The Senate’s Medicaid strategy breaks guarantees and can kick individuals off of Medicaid who really want it. The Senate could make one easy repair to ensure that received’t occur. pic.twitter.com/zvW1AgCxBF
— Senator Thom Tillis (@SenThomTillis) June 30, 2025
Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky voted “no” on fiscal grounds, warning that the invoice would considerably worsen the nationwide deficit.
All through the Vote-a-rama, I used to be working all evening to cease Congress from including to our debt.
I met with @VP and I reiterated my provide to vote for the invoice—if it included a 90% discount within the debt ceiling.
No earmarks. No handouts. Simply actual fiscal reform.
I wasn’t wanting…
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) July 1, 2025
Each member of the Democratic caucus, a complete of 47 senators, additionally voted towards the invoice.
Who supported the invoice within the Senate?
The remaining Republicans voted in favour, permitting the invoice to move 51–50, with the deciding vote forged by Vice President JD Vance.
Trump has set a July 4 deadline to move the invoice by way of Congress, however conceded on Tuesday that it will be “very laborious to do” by that date, because the Home now must vote on it. The Home had handed an earlier model of the invoice in Could, however wants to have a look at it once more as a result of amendments introduced by the Senate.
Notable Senator supporters embody:
Senator Lisa Murkowski (consultant of Alaska): Her backing was secured after Republicans agreed to Alaska-specific provisions, together with delayed vitamin cuts and a brand new rural well being fund, making her vote pivotal.
“I’ve an obligation to the individuals of the state of Alaska, and I dwell as much as that each single day,” she instructed a reporter for NBC Information.
Senators Rick Scott of Florida, Mike Lee of Utah, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming: These fiscally conservative senators shifted from hesitation to assist following amendments to the invoice.
Senate Majority Chief John Thune led the push to move the laws.
How have lawmakers and the general public reacted?
Most Republican lawmakers celebrated it as a historic achievement.
Trump additionally expressed delight.
“Wow, music to my ears,” Trump stated after a reporter instructed him the information. “I used to be additionally questioning how we’re doing, as a result of I do know that is primetime, it reveals that I care about you,” he added.
Thune stated after the vote: “In the long run, we obtained the job executed, and we’re delighted to have the ability to be companions with President Trump and his agenda.”
Democrats opposed it, calling it a giveaway to the rich on the expense of healthcare, meals help and local weather coverage.
“Right this moment’s vote will hang-out our Republican colleagues for years to return,” Democrat Chuck Schumer stated in a ground speech after the vote.
“Republicans lined this chamber in disgrace,” he added.
Right this moment’s vote will hang-out Senate Republicans for years to return.
People will see the injury executed as hospitals shut, as individuals are laid off, as prices go up, and because the debt will increase.
Democrats will make sure that People bear in mind the betrayal that came about as we speak. pic.twitter.com/WmwnZa5n9k
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) July 1, 2025
The US Chamber of Commerce led a coalition of greater than 145 organisations supporting the invoice, emphasising it will “foster capital funding, job creation, and better wages”.
They praised the everlasting tax cuts and border safety funding.
Nevertheless, healthcare and hospital associations have warned that tens of millions may lose protection, driving up emergency and unpaid care prices. Environmental teams have additionally voiced sturdy opposition.
Public opinion on the invoice is in decline, too.
“Initially, [Trump] had greater than 50 p.c of the assist. Now, it’s beneath 50 p.c, and politicians know that,” Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher stated, reporting from Washington, DC.
“They’re conscious that this might result in a reduce in Medicaid. They’re conscious, regardless that Donald Trump had promised to guard it, that this might reduce dietary programmes, significantly for poorer households in the US.
“And though they are going to get tax cuts, they’ve managed a number of the time to be satisfied by the Democratic argument that, sure, there are tax cuts, however billionaires will do a lot better out of this than the bizarre American individuals, and that’s what’s modified the opinion polls,” he added.
What occurs subsequent?
The method begins with the Home Guidelines Committee, which is able to meet to mark up the invoice and resolve how debate and consideration will proceed on the Home ground.
After the invoice passes by way of the Guidelines Committee, it’s going to transfer to the Home ground for debate and a vote on the rule, doubtlessly as quickly as Wednesday morning.
If the Home of Representatives doesn’t settle for the Senate’s model of the invoice, it may make adjustments and ship it again to the Senate for one more vote.
Alternatively, each chambers may appoint members to a convention committee to work out a compromise.
As soon as each the Home and Senate agree on the ultimate textual content, and it’s handed in each chambers of Congress, the invoice would go to Trump to be signed into legislation.
