WASHINGTON – Senate Republicans were quiet on Monday after President Donald Trump introduced a version of the “Big Beautiful” tax incentives and spending reduction bill, aiming to push it into law by a voluntary July 4 deadline.
However, the Democrats in the Chamber of Commerce are forcing GOP members to take a stand on contentious issues, particularly around health and food safety net reductions. As of the evening, the Democrats hadn’t secured the votes they needed.
During this significant budget battle, opposition tactics are being deployed to highlight particular concerns, even when amendments are likely to fail.
Democrats have criticized several measures in the proposed legislation, such as new work reporting requirements for Medicaid—a federal health program for low-income individuals and those with disabilities.
There has also been considerable pushback against plans that would shift the significant costs of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) to individual states for the first time.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota spoke on the Senate floor, stating, “I tell our colleagues, ‘I’ll vote for families that are over billionaires.'” The focal point of the nearly 1,000-page bill looks to expand the 2017 tax law by maintaining individual income tax rates and providing permanent tax credits for business investments and research and development costs.
Some of Trump’s campaign promises appear in the bill, though there are no new taxes like those on overtime or car loan interest. The estimated cost of the tax cuts hovers around $4.5 trillion over a decade, while the bill is projected to add $3.25 trillion to the federal deficit, with the borrowing limit potentially reaching $5 trillion as the nation grapples with record debt levels.
Medicaid and Abortion Policy
Sen. Patty Murray from Washington aimed to strip language from a bill that would bar organizations from receiving Medicaid funding for one year if they do not cease performing abortions.
Existing federal law already restricts funding for abortions, with limited exceptions. However, Republican lawmakers have suggested reallocating funds to indirectly prevent Medicaid patients from accessing these services. Murray warned that this proposal could severely impact low-income women’s healthcare, labeling it “a long-standing goal of anti-abortion extremists.” She argued that the Republican bill could cut millions of women off from essential services like birth control and cancer screenings, potentially closing around 200 clinics across the country.
Mississippi Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith defended efforts to maintain the policy, claiming there was once a bipartisan consensus on preventing taxpayer funds from supporting abortion.
Medicaid and Undocumented Immigrants
On the topic of Medicaid, bipartisan discussions have arisen regarding whether federal funding should be reduced for states if they choose to extend benefits to undocumented immigrants. This provision had been included in earlier drafts of the bill but was ruled non-compliant with legislative procedures.
In a recent vote, a proposed amendment failed despite support from several senators, underscoring the complexity of the issue. Sen. John Cornyn from Texas asserted that limiting benefits would deter undocumented immigration.
Opposing this view, Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley expressed concern that such changes could be financially detrimental to states that had expanded their Medicaid programs under prior legislation.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Funding
An amendment aimed at preventing nearly a 50% cut to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s funding was discussed, with Sen. Elizabeth Warren vocalizing the importance of this agency in protecting consumers against financial fraud.
Scott dismissed concerns, arguing that the cuts still allow for adequate funding. Attempts to maintain robust funding for the bureau failed in a procedural vote.
Obstetric Care and Medicaid
A proposal to reject cuts to certain Medicaid funds related to obstetric care was brought forth by Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, emphasizing that Medicaid is a major provider for maternal healthcare in the U.S.
Despite support from some, the proposal was ultimately rejected in a close vote.
Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program
Sen. Ben Ray Lujan proposed a motion to remove changes regarding SNAP from the bill, which met with opposition and subsequently failed. He urged his colleagues to “move away from these devastating cuts.”
Senate Agriculture Chairman John Boozman criticized the program’s sustainability, arguing that it needed reforms to prevent reliance on government support.
Medicaid Work Requirements
In another contentious vote, a proposal from Sen. Chris Coons to eliminate mandatory work requirements for Medicaid recipients was rejected. Concerns among Democrats emerged that such requirements could lead to many losing their healthcare due to administrative hurdles.
Sen. Roger Marshall from Kansas countered that work could provide a sense of dignity and purpose, challenging the opposition’s perspective.
Support for Rural Hospitals
Despite some bipartisan support for legislation aimed at assisting rural hospitals, a proposal from Sen. Ed Markey was voted down. Markey criticized the inadequate measures to address the healthcare crisis affecting rural areas, linking the current Republican approach to detrimental outcomes for public health.
Sen. Mike Crapo, meanwhile, reiterated the financial challenges these hospitals face, suggesting that the proposed changes were unnecessarily obstructing the bill’s progress.
