FnF News
Senate in Turmoil as Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” Triggers Hours-Long Budget War on Capitol Hill
By Khadija Khan | FNF News | July 1, 2025
Washington, D.C. — The United States Senate plunged into deep procedural warfare on Monday night as lawmakers debated President Donald Trump’s sweeping budget plan—officially titled the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The session, livestreamed to millions across the country, revealed the growing fault lines not only between Democrats and Republicans, but within the Republican Party itself.
The legislation, totaling over 940 pages, represents the most aggressive fiscal restructuring in modern American history, combining major tax cuts with unprecedented changes to social safety programs, federal aid structures, and defense spending.
As the Senate readied for an exhaustive vote-a-rama—a grueling process allowing unlimited amendment votes—tensions mounted, and the Capitol became the focal point of a nation increasingly divided over what kind of future it wants.
A Breakdown of the Bill
President Trump’s bill seeks to:
- Extend 2017 Trump-era tax cuts permanently
- Eliminate federal taxes on overtime pay and tips
- Increase defense and border spending by $80 billion
- Slash Medicaid expansion, food stamps (SNAP), and rural healthcare support
- Defund Planned Parenthood and cut women’s health services
- Eliminate tax credits for electric vehicles and renewable energy
- Deregulate fossil fuel development and domestic energy
The Congressional Budget Office warned that the bill would add $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next 10 years, raising alarms among fiscal conservatives.
GOP Cracks Under Pressure
Though Republicans control the Senate, the unity Trump’s team hoped for is fraying. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) shocked observers by announcing he would not seek re-election after voicing concern over the bill’s proposed cuts to healthcare and his party’s rapid rightward shift.
“This is not what fiscal responsibility looks like,” Tillis stated. “We’re trading compassion for campaign slogans.”
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), often a skeptic of deficit spending, indicated he might not support the bill unless further spending controls were introduced.
Even Republicans who are backing the bill publicly have reportedly expressed concern in closed-door sessions, according to Senate aides.
Democrats Push Back
Senate Democrats forced the entire bill to be read aloud—nearly 16 hours of continuous floor time—in an effort to delay proceedings and draw national attention to what they call a reckless assault on working-class families.
“This bill is a war on the poor, the sick, and the future,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). “And we will fight it with every tool we have.”
Democratic amendments filed during the vote-a-rama include attempts to:
- Restore Medicaid funding
- Reinstate food assistance programs
- Block Planned Parenthood defunding
- Re-add climate and clean energy initiatives
- Protect rural hospitals and school nutrition programs
Though symbolic, these amendments force Republicans to go on record—and may have political consequences in the 2026 elections.
Vote-a-Rama Chaos
The Senate began the vote-a-rama early Tuesday morning, with staffers bringing in sleeping bags, blankets, and fast food to prepare for what may become one of the longest legislative sessions in recent memory.
Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), speaking on camera, summarized the mood in the chamber bluntly:
“This isn’t legislating. This is exhaustion disguised as governance. But I’ll vote no, and then I’ll vote no again.”
Republican leaders hope to push through the final Senate vote by early Wednesday morning. The bill will then return to the House of Representatives for final reconciliation.
Independence Day Deadline
According to senior aides, President Trump wants to sign the bill on July 4th, framing it as a symbolic restoration of American strength, sovereignty, and conservative values.
White House sources confirm that internal polling shows the bill popular among Republican base voters, especially due to its provisions eliminating taxes on overtime and tipped wages. However, swing voters and independents show growing concern over the loss of healthcare protections and long-term debt implications.
A Nation on Edge
More than just a spending plan, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” has become a battle over national identity. Is the country prepared to trade welfare programs for lower taxes and stronger borders? Can the economy absorb trillions in new debt? And will the Republican Party stay united under Trump’s direction—or begin to fracture under the weight of its own contradictions?
Only time—and votes—will tell.