Trump’s "Big, Beautiful Bill" Passes Senate: 5 Key Takeaways and What Happens Next

 

The Senate narrowly passed Trump’s sweeping "Big, Beautiful Bill" after a marathon vote. Here’s how it affects taxes, healthcare, and the 2026 midterms—plus the high-stakes House battle ahead.

       Trump’s "Big, Beautiful Bill" Passes Senate:

 

1. The Bill Passed—But Barely

After a 24-hour negotiation marathon and a tie-breaking vote from VP JD Vance, the Senate approved Trump’s signature legislation 51-50. Three GOP senators—Susan Collins (Maine), Thom Tillis (NC), and Rand Paul (KY)—defected, calling it fiscally irresponsible and harmful to Medicaid recipients.

Key Stats:

·        Adds $3.3 trillion to the deficit by 2034.

·        Funds $45B for ICE detention and $14B for deportations.

·        Extends Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanently.

 

2. Who Wins & Who Loses

Winners:

·        High-income households: 60% of tax cuts go to earners over $217K/year.

·        Parents: Child tax credit rises to $2,200/kid.

·        Oil/gas industry: EV tax credits end by September 2025.

Losers:

·        Medicaid recipients: 12 million could lose coverage due to work requirements.

·        Food stamp users: $68.6B cut from SNAP over a decade.

·        Elon Musk: Called the bill a "disgusting abomination" for killing EV incentives.

 

3. The House Hurdle

The bill now faces a brutal fight in the House, where Republicans can afford only 3 defections. Key roadblocks:

·        Far-right critics: Chip Roy (R-TX) opposes its deficit spending.

·        Moderates: Worry about Medicaid cuts in high-enrollment districts.

·        Democrats: Unified in calling it a "big, ugly betrayal".

Trump’s Deadline: Demands passage by July 4, but delays loom due to flight cancellations stranding lawmakers.

 

4. Controversial Last-Minute Changes

To secure votes, Senate GOP added:

·        $50B for rural hospitals (to placate Collins).

·        Carveouts for Alaska/Hawaii: Exemptions from food stamp work rules.

·        Dropped provisions: Bans on gender-affirming care and penalties for states covering undocumented immigrants.

 

5. What’s Next?

·        House vote expected July 2: Speaker Mike Johnson is whipping votes hard.

·        Legal challenges: Advocacy groups may sue over Medicaid cuts.

·        2026 midterm fallout: Democrats plan to campaign on the bill’s "attack on working families"