Did Trump's big tax bill pass? Live updates as Senate enters fourth day of voting battle
- - - Did Trump's big tax bill pass? Live updates as Senate enters fourth day of voting battle
Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY July 1, 2025 at 10:19 PM
President Donald Trump's tax, spending and policy bill remains stuck in limbo heading into a fourth day of Senate debate - including a couple of all-nighters - as Republicans scramble to find the votes and meet a self-imposed July 4 deadline to turn the controversial measure into law.
Vice President JD Vance arrived at the U.S. Capitol shortly after sunrise on July 1, as senators approached nearly 24 hours of consecutive floor debate on a series of amendments to legislation that includes provisions on Medicaid reform, increased border security funding and limits to taxes on tips and overtime wages. The outcome in Congress is expected to be either a defining legislative win for Trump or a major setback early in his second term.
Asked if Senate Republicans would reach a final vote on Tuesday, Vance told reporters, "We're going to find out."
More: Medicaid cuts, no taxes on tips and overtime: What's in the Trump-backed Senate megabill?
There are at least two Republican senators out of 53 who are expected to vote no on the legislation's final passage. With no Democrats expected to offer support, Majority Leader John Thune can only afford one more detractor. In that event of a 50-50 split, Vance will offer the tie-breaking vote.
Despite working through the weekend, senators continued to hash out disputes on and off the floor of the Senate throughout the night June 30 and into the morning of July 1. Thune, R-South Dakota, has told reporters in the Capitol Republicans are "close" to nailing down a deal.
If and when the Senate passes Trump's mega bill, it must then be reconciled in the House, where an original version passed by the smallest of margins in May. Votes in the House are tentatively planned for July 2, pending the outcome in the Senate.
Trump threatens to unleash DOGE on Musk's companies
US President Donald Trump talks to members of the press as he departs from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on July 1, 2025. Trump is heading to Florida to visit "Alligator Alcatraz" immigrant detention center.
President Trump said he might order the Department of Government Efficiency that Elon Musk previously led to review the government subsidies that go to Musk's companies as their rift resurfaced while the Senate took up Trump's tax and budget bill.
Making the threat personal, Trump said the billionaire tech mogul would probably have to return to his native South Africa without the government's financial assistance.
Trump's attack in a 12:34 a.m. ET July 1 post on Truth Social came after Musk, the world's richest man, resumed his criticism of Trump's so-called "big, beautiful bill" in a flurry of X posts on Monday. It included a warning from Musk that he would boost primary challenges to defeat Republican lawmakers who vote for the legislation.
"Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa. No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE," Trump said. "Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!"
Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has pointed to the bill's projections to raise the national debt by $3.3 trillion over the next decade as the reason for his hostility. But Trump has claimed Musk only opposes the bill because the legislation would end a program under former President Joe Biden that offers consumer tax credit for buyers of electric vehicles.
Musk's various companies have benefited from billions of dollars in U.S. government contracts over the past two decades, including SpaceX through its relationships with the Department of Defense and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
In all, Musk and his businesses have received at least $38 billion in government contracts, loans, subsidies and tax credits, often at critical moments, a Washington Post analysis found. - Joey Garrison
Senate nears a full day of debate, breaks their own record
Senate staffers rest on the U.S. Capitol steps at sunrise as Republican lawmakers struggle to pass U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping spending and tax bill, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 1, 2025.
Senators have carried on debate over amendments to the sweeping legislation for almost 24 hours now.
Throughout June 30 and into the morning of July 1, lawmakers have considered and voted on 45 amendments – a record number in what is known in Washington as a vote-a-rama.
The previous record for this marathon-style series of votes was set in 2008 at 44 amendments. - Savannah Kuchar
Has the 'big, beautiful bill' passed yet?
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) departs from the Senate floor as Republican lawmakers struggle to pass U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping spending and tax bill, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 1, 2025.
Not yet.
Despite working through the weekend, Senate Republicans continue wading through disputes and sticking points, including over proposed Medicaid reforms.
At least two Republicans, Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, are expected to vote no.
Majority Leader Thune met with Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, earlier this morning, as she continues to be a key swing vote in the process. - Savannah Kuchar
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump tax bill stuck in Senate after all-night votes: Live updates
Source: AOL Politics
