Senate Passes Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” with Vance’s Tie-Breaking Vote
The U.S. Senate approved President Trump’s ambitious tax and spending plan, affectionately known as “One Big Beautiful Bill,” by a slim margin.
The final count was a tense 51-50 margin, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the decisive tie-breaking vote.
J.D. Vance: The decisive tie-breaker
Public championing Vance took to X (formerly Twitter) to defend the bill, highlighting its immigration enforcement aspects while downplaying cuts to Medicaid. He argued that the “details of Medicaid policy” were less important than funding for ICE and border security.
Heavy criticism His comments sparked a sharp response from both parties. Democrats, moderate Republicans like Tillis, Murkowski and Collins, as well as various advocates criticized his position — particularly because the bill’s Medicaid cuts could leave about 12 million people without coverage over the next decade.
Critics were quick to point out the inconsistency: In 2017, Vance co-authored an article opposing significant cuts to health care.
The broader context As a young vice president with limited prior experience in elected office, Vance has already caused a stir in the Senate — first by breaking ties on defense nominations in January and then on trade policy in April — demonstrating his desire to exert his vice presidential influence.
Divisions in GOP & Policy Stakes
Republican Splits
Three GOP senators—Collins, Tillis, and Paul—voted “No,” expressing worries about cuts to Medicaid, the growing deficit, and rollbacks on renewable energy.
Policy Trade-offs
This bill makes Trump-era tax cuts permanent, introduces new deductions for tips and overtime, and combines a hefty $350 billion for immigration enforcement while cutting nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid and SNAP. In the final moments, amendments were made to eliminate proposed excise taxes on renewable energy and to synchronize timelines for AI regulations.
Deficit Fallout
According to the Congressional Budget Office, this package is expected to increase the federal deficit by about $3.3 trillion over the next ten years.
What’s next: Eyes on the House
The bill, which has undergone some amendments in the Senate, is now heading back to the House of Representatives. Speaker Mike Johnson has promised to address it as quickly as possible, hoping it will pass by July 4.
However, the House GOP is facing some divisions:
Liberals are concerned about potential cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, as well as the impact on rural healthcare.
On the fiscal front, hawks are concerned about the widening deficit.
And then there are the hardliners, who call for even deeper spending cuts.
Will Americans benefit from Trump’s “big beautiful bill”?
Its impact is mixed – some groups may benefit, but many may suffer serious losses.
Who Stands to Gain :
Those with high incomes and big corporations are set to benefit from permanent tax cuts.
Tipped workers, shift employees, and those in the gig economy will enjoy new tax deductions for tips and overtime.
Defense contractors and states along the border will see a significant boost from increased funding for security and immigration enforcement.
Who Could Lose:
Low-income families, particularly those who depend on Medicaid or food assistance programs like SNAP, are facing significant cuts.
Rural communities are also feeling the pinch, as their healthcare services rely heavily on federal support.
Students and the clean energy sector are at risk too, thanks to reductions in education funding and green energy tax incentives.
What will Elon Musk do next after opposing Trump’s bill?
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has taken a strong stance against Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” labeling it a “disgusting abomination” and cautioning that it betrays working Americans. His pointed remarks have ignited speculation about his next political move, and it’s certainly drawing serious attention.
What He’s Said So Far:
Musk has taken a stand against Trump’s GOP, claiming they’ve turned their backs on fiscal responsibility by pushing through a bill that tacks on a whopping $3.3 trillion to the national debt.
He didn’t hold back on criticizing the significant cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, arguing that these changes “hurt the people who actually make this country run.”
What He Might Do Next:
1. Launch a New Political Party:
Musk has teased the idea of starting an “America Party,” which would center around tech innovation, responsible budgeting, and populist values.
“It’s time to reset American politics,” he posted on X.
2. Backing Independent Candidates:
He might choose to fund or support independent candidates in the 2026 midterms who stand against both the traditional Republicans and Democrats.
3. Direct Voter Campaigns via X:
Get ready for Musk to leverage X (formerly Twitter) as a powerful campaign tool — sparking national discussions and rallying support against Trump-aligned incumbents.
4. Upcoming Policy Proposals:
Musk’s team is said to be working on a forward-thinking economic plan that focuses on AI regulation, achieving energy independence, and ensuring basic healthcare protections.
Highlights
Trump is all praises for Vance, calling him a solid partner and describing the vote as “music to my ears” during a press event at a Florida migrant detention facility, humorously dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.”
On the other side, progressive opposition, spearheaded by DNC chair Ken Martin, is slamming the bill as a “scheme to steal from working folks,” raising alarms that millions could end up losing their healthcare and support.
Critics of the policy bundling are voicing concerns that tying immigration funding to tax cuts allows controversial measures to sneak through by taking advantage of partisan unity, a strategy that hinges on Vance’s crucial vote.
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