Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

Washington, Jun 29: In a pivotal late-night vote, the U.S. Senate on Saturday advanced President Donald Trump’s flagship legislative package — a sweeping tax-cut and spending proposal — by a narrow 51–49 margin, pushing it forward for formal debate ahead of the Independence Day recess.

Titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the 940-page legislation proposes extending the 2017 tax cuts, slashing other taxes, and ramping up spending on the military and border security. The bill’s funding mechanisms include deep cuts to Medicaid, food assistance programs, renewable energy initiatives, and various social welfare schemes.

The procedural vote followed intense behind-the-scenes negotiations among Republican senators, with Vice President JD Vance reportedly playing a key role in brokering last-minute agreements. One major breakthrough came when Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) reversed his opposition and backed the bill after private discussions with party leaders.

However, two Republican senators—Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Rand Paul of Kentucky—voted against the measure. Tillis objected to the proposed Medicaid cuts, warning they would heavily impact constituents in his state. Paul, meanwhile, criticised the bill’s provision to raise the national debt ceiling by $5 trillion, calling it fiscally reckless.

Democrats remained firmly opposed, condemning the bill as a giveaway to the wealthy at the expense of vulnerable Americans. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer demanded the entire bill be read aloud on the Senate floor, accusing Republicans of trying to ram through the legislation without transparency.

“If Senate Republicans won’t tell the American people what’s in this bill, then Democrats are going to force this chamber to read it from start to finish,” Schumer declared.

The bill now moves into a formal debate phase, expected to include overnight sessions and a flurry of amendment proposals. Should it pass the Senate, it will head back to the House for final approval before being sent to President Trump’s desk.

Prominent entrepreneur Elon Musk voiced strong disapproval of the bill on social media platform X, saying it would "destroy millions of jobs" and "cause immense strategic harm."

“It gives handouts to industries of the past while severely damaging industries of the future,” Musk added, renewing criticism of the bill’s economic and innovation impact.

With the July 4 deadline looming, the bill’s path forward remains fraught with political tension, fiscal scrutiny, and partisan division.