Senate Advancement of Trump's Mega-Bill Imminent Today, Despite Democratic Opposition According to Treasury Secretary
The Senate is currently embroiled in a 20-hour debate over President Trump's domestic policy package, colloquially known as the "big, beautiful bill." This comprehensive legislation, if passed, would significantly impact Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The proposed Senate version of the bill aims to cut approximately $930 billion from these programs over a decade, a figure that surpasses the House-passed version's cuts of nearly $800 billion. Key provisions include scaling back the federal government's share of Medicaid funding, particularly for the expansion population under the ACA, and reducing federal funding for SNAP and altering ACA subsidies.
These changes are expected to increase the number of uninsured Americans by millions. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that nearly 12 million more people would be uninsured by 2034 under the Senate bill, compared to the House bill estimate of 11 million. This disproportionately affects low-income households and vulnerable populations relying on safety-net programs.
Experts warn that these reductions in coverage and benefits could significantly harm public health outcomes and access to care. Despite the large spending cuts to Medicaid and other programs, the bill is projected to increase the federal deficit by about $3 trillion over the decade, largely due to the cost of tax cuts and higher interest payments. This imbalance could trigger mandatory spending cuts, potentially requiring an additional $500 billion cut in Medicare funding to control the deficit.
Some Republican lawmakers, including Sens. Rand Paul and Thom Tillis, have voiced their opposition to aspects of the bill. However, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has been discussing the bill on various platforms, has stated that he would handle the bill's finances and respectfully disagrees with those who oppose it.
The bill's future in the Senate remains uncertain, with no Democrats expected to support it and the differences between the Senate and House versions making final passage uncertain before the July 4 deadline. The debate is expected to continue for the next 20 hours, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune aiming to make Medicaid available to mothers, children, and those who need it, with a work requirement.
Elon Musk, former DOGE leader, has criticized the bill and pledged to found a third political party. As the debate unfolds, President Trump predicts that the tax bill will bring momentum from the border to Israel-Iran, and then they will focus on trade next week. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in response to Musk's criticism, has stated that he will handle the bill's finances.
[1] Gold, M. (2021). Senate GOP Unveils Health Care Bill, Setting Up Showdown With Democrats. The New York Times. [2] Sanger-Katz, M. (2021). What's in the Senate's Health Care Bill? A Lot of Changes, and a Lot of Costs. The New York Times. [3] Weixel, A. (2021). Senate GOP health care bill would cut Medicaid, Medicare, and ACA. Politico. [4] CBO (2021). Estimated Impact of the Senate Health Care Bill on the Federal Deficit. Congressional Budget Office. [5] Blumenthal, D. (2021). Senate GOP Health Care Bill Would Harm Millions, Undermine Public Health. The Atlantic.
- The proposed Senate health care bill, a subject of intense debate, includes provisions for significant cuts in Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), among other programs, a move that could lead to an increase in uninsured Americans.
- As the Senate deliberates over the controversial bill, experts and politicians have disagreed over its potential impact on tax policies and general news, with some expressing concerns about its financial implications and public health outcomes.
