Senate Battles Through Night Over Trump’s Massive Spending Bill That Could Strip 12 Million of Healthcare

The US Senate has conducted a marathon overnight voting session on a comprehensive budget bill central to President Trump’s legislative priorities.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, spanning nearly 1,000 pages, proposes increased spending for border security, defense, and energy production, balanced by reductions to healthcare and food-support programs.

The legislation’s future remains uncertain as Republicans, controlling both congressional chambers, are divided over the extent of welfare program cuts needed to fund tax break extensions.

Following Senate approval, the bill would return to the House of Representatives for final passage before reaching Trump’s desk.

Senators have engaged in a “vote-a-rama” process since Monday night into Tuesday, debating and voting on individual amendments. The session has exceeded 22 hours.

Vice President JD Vance arrived at Capitol Hill after 06:00 EST, suggesting Senate Republicans may require his tie-breaking vote. Republicans can afford only three defections for passage, making Vance’s vote potentially decisive.

Notable criticism comes from Elon Musk, who has targeted Republicans for campaigning on spending reduction while supporting “the biggest debt increase in history.” The tech entrepreneur previously led the Department of Government Efficiency until disagreements with Trump over this legislation.

The bill would add $3.3 trillion to the current $36 trillion national debt, according to new estimates. The Congressional Budget Office projects the proposed cuts could eliminate health insurance coverage for nearly 12 million Americans.

Republican debate centers on welfare program reductions necessary to extend $3.8 trillion in Trump tax breaks. Senator John Cornyn’s amendment to reduce federal Medicaid payments to states covering undocumented immigrants charged with specific crimes was rejected.

Democrats have criticized the proposed cuts and attempted to delay proceedings. Senator Ed Markey proposed removing provisions he argued would force rural hospital closures, while other Democratic amendments addressed food assistance cuts. All were defeated along party lines.

Two Republicans opposed opening debate entirely, seeking additional changes. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis announced his retirement following this vote, stating the legislation violated promises made to voters.

“Too many elected officials are motivated by pure raw politics who really don’t give a damn about the people they promised to represent on the campaign trail,” Tillis wrote.

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul objected to both debt increases and Medicaid cuts.

After Senate passage, the bill returns to the House, where voting could occur Wednesday morning. The original House version passed by a single vote last week.

House Freedom Caucus fiscal conservatives threaten to reject the Senate package, claiming it adds over $650 billion to the national deficit.

Despite uncertainty, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed Trump’s confidence the bill will reach his desk by July 4th.

Musk has threatened to establish a new political party if the bill passes Congress. Trump has suggested reviewing subsidies received by Musk’s companies, writing on Truth Social: “Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa.”