Senate Passes ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ Sends It Back to the House

The Senate on Tuesday narrowly passed the bill that would enact large portions of President Donald Trump’s agenda, though it’s not a done deal.

Senators voted 50-50 on the bill, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tie-breaking vote to pass the “Big Beautiful Bill,” which outlines tax and spending provisions for the next few years. Three Republicans joined Democrats in voting against the legislation.

The bill will now go back to the House of Representatives to hammer out differences between the chambers’ versions before it is sent to Trump to sign.

Republicans have controlled the reconciliation process because they hold majorities in both chambers of Congress. Under the special rules used to form a reconciliation bill, Democrats can’t filibuster the legislation to prevent it from passing.

The bill would extend portions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that are otherwise set to expire at the end of the year, and introduce other new tax breaks. In an effort to save money and afford the tax breaks, the bill cuts SNAP food aid and Medicaid programs.

Senators worked over the weekend weekend to pass their version of the bill before a self-imposed July 4 deadline.

Some Republican representatives in the House oppose the Senate’s version of the bill, saying it does not go far enough in cutting the federal budget. Others object to the steeper Medicaid cuts passed by the Senate. Any resistance to the bill could jeopardize it, as the House passed its original version of the bill by only one vote, 215-214.

The House of Representatives is expected to meet Wednesday to consider the bill.