In a dramatic late-night vote, the U.S. Senate took a major step toward advancing former President Donald Trump’s signature legislative push — the sweeping 940-page “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The Republican-led chamber narrowly approved a key procedural motion on Saturday with a razor-thin 51-49 margin, setting the stage for further debate in the coming days.
The bill, which Trump is urging Congress to pass ahead of the July 4 deadline, has stirred up controversy across the political spectrum. At its core, the legislation proposes a massive $150 billion boost in military funding, while also allocating billions for border wall construction and ramping up mass deportations — all cornerstone promises of Trump’s political platform.
But to bankroll these measures, the bill proposes deep and sweeping cuts to domestic programs, slashing Medicaid and gutting clean energy incentives — a move that has triggered widespread condemnation from Democrats, policy experts, and even some Republicans.
Late-Night Maneuvering and Republican Infighting
Behind closed doors, Republican leaders scrambled to secure enough support to move the bill forward. After sustained pressure from Vice President JD Vance, holdout Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin switched his vote to yes, tipping the scales in favor of the GOP. However, not all Republicans were on board. Senators Rand Paul and Thom Tillis broke ranks, joining all 47 Democrats in opposing the motion.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer blasted the GOP’s late-night tactics, accusing them of sneaking the bill through under the cover of darkness. In protest, he demanded a full, word-by-word reading of the legislation on the Senate floor — a marathon session expected to drag on for 15 hours.
What’s Inside the “Big Beautiful Bill”?
At the heart of the controversy are the proposed cuts to Medicaid — reductions that critics warn could cripple rural hospitals and leave nearly 8.6 million Americans without healthcare coverage. The legislation also eliminates taxes on overtime pay, which Trump has framed as a “pro-worker” move. But economists argue it disproportionately benefits high-income earners, further widening the wealth gap.
The bill also rolls back electric vehicle tax credits and strips away climate-focused incentives put in place during President Biden’s tenure — a move that has drawn sharp rebuke from environmental groups. According to independent budget analysts cited by Al Jazeera, the legislation could add trillions to the national debt, now exceeding $36.2 trillion, while shifting financial burdens from the wealthy onto working-class Americans.
Elon Musk Joins the Critics
Adding fuel to the fire, billionaire Elon Musk publicly denounced the bill over the weekend, calling it “utterly insane and destructive.” In a scathing post, Musk warned it would cause “immense strategic harm” to the country and branded it “political suicide” for the GOP. Once a Trump ally, Musk has since broken ranks over the administration’s economic direction.
What Comes Next?
With the Senate hurdle now cleared, the bill returns to the House of Representatives — but its path forward remains uncertain. Republican leadership faces dissent from both conservative hardliners and moderate members, making every vote critical. Given the party’s slim majority, even a handful of defections could derail the bill before it ever reaches Trump’s desk.
As the debate intensifies, the stakes couldn’t be higher — not just for Trump’s political legacy, but for millions of Americans whose lives may be upended by what’s inside this “big beautiful” package. Will the GOP hold the line, or will internal fractures bring the legislation to a screeching halt? All eyes are now on Capitol Hill.
