Another Republican dissenter, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, rejected the bill over its projected increase in the national debt and the proposed Medicaid cuts, which would impact millions of elderly, disabled, and low-income citizens.
On Monday, Republican Senator Dan Sullivan attempted to ease concerns, stating, “We’re going to be fine on this.”
When the bill reaches a full Senate vote — expected late Monday night or early Tuesday morning — Republicans can only afford to lose three votes. If three GOP senators defect, Vice President JD Vance will be required to cast a tie-breaking vote.
Should the Senate approve the bill, it will return to the House of Representatives, where leadership has indicated a full vote on the revised bill could take place as early as Wednesday morning.
Despite holding a majority in the House, Republicans have little room for defections. Some GOP House members have voiced dissatisfaction with the Senate’s version, which could lead to another razor-thin vote.
Democrats in both chambers remain opposed to the bill’s spending cuts and the proposed extension of $3.8 trillion in tax reductions, originally enacted during Trump’s presidency.
Meanwhile, Republican debates continue to revolve around how deeply to cut welfare programs in order to fund these tax breaks. Critics warn that the proposed cuts would deprive millions of the poorest Americans of their health coverage.
The current version of the bill includes several tax reductions Trump promised during his campaigns — such as eliminating taxes on overtime pay and tips, and offering deductions for Social Security benefits.
However, the bill also authorizes $5 trillion in new borrowing, which would significantly increase the national debt — a move that runs counter to conservative fiscal principles and even angered former Trump ally Elon Musk earlier this year.
According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Senate’s version of the bill is projected to add $3.3 trillion to the national debt.
As of now, the U.S. national debt stands at $36 trillion, according to the Treasury Department.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has urged Congress to address the debt ceiling by mid-July, warning that failure to act could leave the U.S. unable to meet its financial obligations as early as August.***