Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” Passes Senate After Tie-Breaker From VP Vance, Sparks GOP Civil War
Washington, D.C. — After a brutal 24-hour legislative standoff, Senate Republicans narrowly passed Donald Trump’s signature tax and spending overhaul on Tuesday, pushing the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill one step closer to becoming law. With Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote in a 50-50 split, the Senate approved the sweeping legislation over unified Democratic opposition — and despite significant fractures within the GOP itself.
Now heading back to the House for final reconciliation, the bill faces another razor-thin vote under a fast-approaching July 4 deadline imposed by Trump himself.
A Partisan, High-Stakes Gamble
Celebrating the Senate passage from a migrant detention center in Florida, Trump called the legislation “a great bill” and “something for everyone.” But beneath the bravado, the path to passage exposed serious divisions within the Republican Party — not only over fiscal responsibility but over ideology, strategy, and loyalty to the Trump agenda.
Three Republican senators — Susan Collins (Maine), Thom Tillis (North Carolina), and Rand Paul (Kentucky) — broke ranks and joined Democrats in voting no, citing concerns over ballooning deficits and deep cuts to social programs.
Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who ultimately voted yes after intense eleventh-hour negotiations, expressed unease with the process.
“I struggled mightily with the impact on the most vulnerable in this country,” Murkowski told reporters. “This was probably the most agonizing 24 hours of my career.”
Despite her vote, Murkowski criticized the rushed timeline and suggested the House should still amend the proposal.
What’s in the “Big, Beautiful” Bill?
The legislation locks in Trump-era tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy, while slashing funding for federal programs ranging from food assistance to Medicaid. To offset trillions in lost revenue, Republicans have proposed gutting safety-net provisions that benefit millions of working-class Americans.
Among the bill’s more controversial elements:
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Permanent corporate tax rate cuts
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Elimination of certain green energy tax credits
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Steep reductions in SNAP food subsidies and Medicaid expansion
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A fast-track mechanism for deregulation across multiple agencies
Fiscal hawks within the House Freedom Caucus estimate the Senate version could add $650 billion per year to the national deficit — a figure that has prompted open revolt from conservatives who once ran on balancing the budget.
“This isn’t fiscal responsibility. It’s betrayal,” the Freedom Caucus said in a statement.
Elon Musk Declares War on the GOP
Adding fuel to the fire, former Trump ally and billionaire Elon Musk — now acting as Trump’s self-appointed “cost-cutting czar” — lashed out at Republican lawmakers for supporting what he called “the biggest debt increase in U.S. history.”
In a post on X, Musk threatened to primary GOP incumbents who voted for the bill and hinted at forming a breakaway political party if the legislation becomes law.
“Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for this disaster should hang their heads in shame,” Musk wrote.
Musk’s opposition is seen as partially self-interested. The bill’s massive rollbacks on EV and renewable energy subsidies are poised to hurt Tesla’s bottom line, further widening the rift between him and Trump.
The Road Ahead: Still No Guarantee
Despite the Senate win, the bill’s future remains uncertain. The House version passed previously by just one vote, and with changes introduced in the Senate, Republican leadership cannot afford more than three defections.
House Democrats remain staunchly opposed, calling the bill a “war on the working poor.” Some Republicans are now threatening to delay or tank the bill over deeper Medicaid cuts they say go too far, especially in rural or aging states.
Trump, meanwhile, continues to pressure lawmakers to finalize the bill by July 4, aligning its passage with a symbolic date for “American renewal.” Whether that artificial deadline holds — or whether the GOP tears itself apart trying to meet it — may determine the fate of Trump’s second-term economic agenda.
Sources:
NPR – www.npr.org/2025/07/01/trump-bill-senate-vote
BBC – www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66513092
The Hill – www.thehill.com/homenews/senate-passes-trump-bill-vance-breaks-tie
Axios – www.axios.com/2025/07/01/musk-trump-bill-fight-gop
Reuters – www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-passes-trump-bill-despite-deficit-warnings-2025-07-01
