The U.S. Senate has narrowly passed President Donald Trump’s massive tax-and-spending package, known as the “Big Beautiful Bill,” after a dramatic 51–50 vote that exposed deep rifts within the Republican Party.

With three GOP senators breaking ranks, Vice President J.D. Vance cast the tie-breaking vote just after midnight, sending the $3.3 trillion bill back to the House for final approval.

“This is the bill that will save America,” Trump said following the vote, praising the GOP majority while vowing to punish those who opposed it.

What’s Inside the “Big Beautiful Bill”?

• $4.5 Trillion in Tax Cuts: Extends Trump-era tax cuts across the board, including tip income exemptions and overtime pay relief. Critics say the benefits heavily favor the wealthy.
• $350 Billion in Spending Increases: Funds expanded border wall construction, military build-up, and immigration crackdowns.
• Cuts to Medicaid and Food Assistance: Work requirements are tightened, and eligibility restrictions are added, putting 12 million Americans at risk of losing health coverage.
• Rollback of Green Energy Credits: Repeals many clean-energy incentives and delays major EV tax credits.
• Debt Ceiling Hike: Raises the federal borrowing limit by $5 trillion to cover new tax breaks and spending.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill will increase the national debt by over $3.3 trillion over 10 years.

Senate Split: Who Voted and Why

• In Favor: Most Senate Republicans, including swing votes like Mike Lee, Rick Scott, and Lisa Murkowski.
• Opposed: Three Republican senators—Susan Collins, Rand Paul, and Thom Tillis—joined all Democrats in voting no, citing concern over rising debt and healthcare cuts.

Once aligned with Trump, Tillis broke publicly, calling the bill “fiscally irresponsible and morally hollow.”

Public Reaction: A Divided America

Recent polls show:

• 55% of Americans oppose the bill, with only 29% supporting it.
• Only 67% of Republican voters back it, exposing vulnerabilities ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Hospitals and advocacy groups warn that the Medicaid cuts could lead to as many as 24,000 preventable deaths annually, especially in underserved communities.

GOP Infighting Heats Up

The bill’s passage has deepened internal GOP divisions:

• Elon Musk, once a Trump ally, blasted the bill as “insane” and promised to fund primary challenges against Republicans who voted for it.
• Trump retaliated, threatening to use federal agencies to investigate Musk’s companies and accusing him of being “the most subsidized man in history.”
• Senator Elizabeth Warren, a progressive Democrat, shocked political observers by siding with Musk on the issue, tweeting: “Even I didn’t think I’d agree with Elon Musk—but this bill is a disaster.”

What’s Next?

• The bill returns to the House of Representatives for reconciliation. A final vote is expected within days.
• Democrats plan to make the bill the center of their 2026 campaign, highlighting healthcare and food aid cuts as election-year flashpoints.
• Trump and allies are already targeting dissenters for political retaliation, with several GOP primary challengers being quietly funded behind the scenes.

Why It Matters to Nepali Americans

This legislation could significantly impact:

• Small business owners relying on green energy incentives and EV credits
• Low-income families dependent on Medicaid or SNAP benefits
• Nepali immigrants working in service industries are now affected by changes to tax structures on tipped income

AMN-USA will continue monitoring the political, economic, and community-level impact of the “Big Beautiful Bill” as it advances.

Follow us on YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok.