Voices, Votes & Vision: The Latest in Politics & Public Policy
- Mega bill reflects President Donald Trump's second-term priorities and sets up a Senate vote-a-rama.
- Lindsey Graham cites Congressional Budget Office estimate of $507 billion deficit reduction over ten years.
- Chuck Schumer says the bill would cause a $4.45 trillion deficit explosion.
- Legislation funds increased border security, defense, and energy by cutting healthcare and nutrition programs like Medicaid.
- Bernie Sanders and Thom Tillis warn cuts could close rural hospitals and displace over 663,000 people from Medicaid.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The Senate is expected to vote on President Donald Trump’s tax bill after they debated over the weekend. Most Republicans are trying to fulfill the president’s demand to pass the big, beautiful bill, but not all are on board.
The mega bill is filled with President Trump’s second term priorities and senators are gearing up for a vote-a-rama.
South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham praised the bill and touted the Congressional Budget Office’s latest estimate, in which the bill would save more than half a trillion dollars.
“You will, over the next ten years, reduce the deficit by $507 billion. That’s CBO, not me,” said Graham.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer brought his own similar looking sign, claiming the bill adds to the federal deficit.
“Here’s what his chart should have looked like $4.45 trillion deficit explosion,” said Schumer.
The legislation helps pay for increased spending on border security, defense, and energy production by making cuts to healthcare and nutrition programs.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders fears the bill will make hospitals in rural areas suffer.
“When you make massive cuts to Medicaid, many of them are going to shut down or not be able to provide the level of services they do today,” said Sanders.
Not all Republicans are on board.
“What do I tell 663,000 people in two years or three years, when President Trump breaks his promise by pushing them off of Medicaid?” askes Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina.
North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis condemned the legislation and says his colleagues are rushing for a deadline.
“What’s wrong with actually understanding what this bill does?” he asked.
Amendments will be considered and if the Senate passes the bill, it will go back to the House with the changes that were made.
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