Senate Passes Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" Amid Controversy

On July 1, 2025, the U.S. Senate narrowly approved President Donald Trump's comprehensive tax and spending legislation, known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA), with a 51-50 vote. Vice President J.D. Vance cast the tie-breaking vote after three Republican senators—Susan Collins of Maine, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and Rand Paul of Kentucky—joined all Democrats in opposition.

The OBBBA proposes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, including permanent extensions of the 2017 tax rates and new exemptions for tips and overtime pay. To offset these cuts, the bill introduces $1.2 trillion in spending reductions, primarily targeting Medicaid and food assistance programs through stricter eligibility requirements and work mandates. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the legislation will increase the national deficit by approximately $3.3 trillion over the next decade.

The bill's passage followed intense negotiations and a marathon session exceeding 20 hours. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska emerged as a pivotal swing vote, securing concessions such as delaying certain SNAP provisions, removing an excise tax on wind and solar projects, and doubling a rural hospital fund to $50 billion. Despite these changes, Murkowski expressed dissatisfaction with the process, stating, "This has been an awful process."

The OBBBA now returns to the House of Representatives for reconciliation, where further challenges are anticipated before it can be signed into law by President Trump. Several House Republicans have expressed concerns over the Senate-amended version, specifically citing deeper Medicaid cuts and a ballooning deficit.

The bill has sparked significant controversy. Critics argue that it disproportionately benefits the wealthy while stripping essential services from millions of Americans. Despite the bill’s unpopularity—polling shows it is approximately 20 points underwater—and potential long-term economic risks including a debt crisis, Congressional Republicans rushed its passage with minimal scrutiny.

As the OBBBA moves to the House of Representatives, it faces further challenges and debates. The bill's potential impact on the national deficit, healthcare coverage, and economic inequality continues to spark controversy and concern among lawmakers and the public alike.