Senate Votes on Marathon Amendment

WASHINGTON – The US Senate is gearing up to hold voting sessions on the Marathon Amendment beginning Monday. This process will involve a wide range of proposals from both Republicans and Democrats.

The discussions are set to take place throughout Monday and could extend into Tuesday, testing the endurance of senators who aren’t accustomed to long stints in session. Ultimately, a final vote will occur, and if the tax and spending reduction bill passes, the House might take it up as early as Wednesday morning.

The primary focus of Monday’s discussions is a Republican initiative to assess the financial implications of the bill using existing policies instead of current laws.

In the past, Congress has generally relied on current laws to evaluate additions or subtractions to the annual deficit, particularly during the budget adjustment processes that pertain to this bill.

However, with the expiration of the Republican tax law from 2017 at year’s end, the choice to use current laws reveals a considerably larger deficit compared to using current policies, creating a notable political dilemma.

This contentious debate could potentially have lasting implications, especially if Democrats achieve unified control of the government and GOP lawmakers utilize the process changes they’ve implemented this time around.

Budget Chairman Lindsey Graham, a Republican, expressed that adopting current policies would compel the GOP to adhere to budget rules rather than maintain multiple tax rates established in the 2017 law.

“I want to ensure tax cuts don’t expire a decade from now,” Graham stated.

It’s crucial that the settlement bill does not increase the deficit beyond the 10-year budget horizon.

Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer criticized his Republican counterparts for opposing the current policies approach, although his objections didn’t sway outcomes. “Republicans are attempting something unprecedented by using flawed mathematics and gimmicks to obscure the bill’s actual costs,” Schumer remarked. “They can manipulate numbers on paper, but that doesn’t change the reality of adding trillions to the debt.”

According to a report from the Congressional Budget Office, the pending measure could add approximately $3.253 trillion to the deficit over the next decade.

The Senate eventually voted 53-47 along party lines to reject Graham’s proposal of using current policy.

Narrow Majority at Play

Conversations among senators about proposed Democratic changes to the bill, especially concerning Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, continued for several hours on Monday. However, as of the afternoon, no Democratic proposals had been accepted, and Republicans had yet to vote on their amendments.

Once both sides conclude their discussions, the Senate will move toward the final passage vote. With a slim majority of 53 votes, GOP leaders face the risk of losing some members while still pushing the legislation forward, as Vice President JD Vance is expected to break any tie.

Republicans Tom Tillis from North Carolina and Rand Paul from Kentucky have already signaled their opposition to the bill, complicating the voting process for GOP leadership.

Senate majority leader John Tune remarked that the main objective of the proposed legislation is to prevent the tax relief enacted during Trump’s presidency from expiring.

“This is about extending that tax relief, so individuals who benefited in 2017 don’t face a steep tax increase starting January 1,” Thune explained.

Schumer has sharply criticized the bill’s proposed cuts, arguing they would reduce access to essential programs like Medicaid and food assistance for low-income individuals. “How can senators justify taking away healthcare just to afford tax breaks for the wealthy?” Schumer questioned. “It seems that they’re heading toward a cliff with this legislation that they know will hurt their constituents.”

Possible Amendments Ahead

The reception of proposed amendments and specific changes to the legislation could sway the number of GOP senators willing to support the final bill.

While Republican leaders aim to block all Democratic amendments, Thune may resort to procedural tactics to minimize any negative changes if amendments are introduced.

This vote will not only allow senators to debate policy details but also serve as a political chess move for Democrats, encouraging vulnerable senators to take a stand.

Particularly, revisions may focus on key figures like Susan Collins from Maine, especially following Tillis’s announcement of retirement.

Democrats, recognizing the stakes, might push to flip the Senate from Republican to Democratic control, while GOP leaders may press for amendments that could put pressure on Democrats from tight races.

With the landscape rapidly evolving, both parties are keeping an eye on upcoming elections in battleground states for 2028.