Senate GOP Scrambles Late Saturday to Push Through Trump’s Tax-and-Spending Bill
It was a high-stakes Saturday night at the U.S. Capitol as Vice President JD Vance showed up to back a last-ditch effort by Senate Republicans to push through President Donald Trump’s massive tax cuts and spending bill. The scene? A tense, hours-long game of political chess, with GOP leaders scrambling to convince holdouts to get on board for a crucial first procedural vote.
The Tightrope Walk: Winning Over GOP Skeptics
Senate Majority Leader John Thune was in the thick of it, working overtime to keep the fragile coalition together. He’s got a handful of stubborn GOP senators who want changes — and they’re holding out. Some of those holdouts include Ron Johnson, Mike Lee, Rick Scott, and Cynthia Lummis. As of Saturday night, these senators, along with Thune and Vance, were huddled in a leadership suite, hashing out final tweaks.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, a known critic of the bill, was at the center of the drama. She spent over an hour in talks with GOP leadership on the Senate floor before finally agreeing to vote yes — a key victory for the GOP push. Interestingly, some provisions in the latest bill version helped Alaska specifically. For example, there was an expansion of how much a special group of whalers could deduct for whaling supplies, a detail that insiders say played a part in winning Murkowski’s support.
But even with Murkowski on board, Thune has to walk a fine line. The Senate GOP can’t afford more than three defections on this vote — and three Republicans (Thom Tillis, Rand Paul, and Ron Johnson) had already voted no on the procedural motion. If any more say no, the whole effort could unravel.
Vance’s Crucial Role and the Vice President’s Ambiguous Confidence
JD Vance’s presence was critical. If the vote comes down to a tie, he would have to cast the deciding vote to get the Senate to start debating the bill. When asked by CNN whether he was confident the vote would pass, Vance gave a noncommittal, “I guess we’ll find out,” underscoring the uncertainty hanging over the chamber.
This isn’t just a vote; it’s a political make-or-break moment for the Senate GOP. The bill is huge, complex, and controversial — but the White House and Republican leadership are pushing hard to get it through fast.
Trump’s All-In Push and GOP Leadership’s Heavy Lifting
President Trump himself was in the mix, meeting with senators like Rick Scott and Ron Johnson just hours before the vote. He also chatted with critical swing votes, including Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, who publicly announced support earlier Saturday. On a lighter note, Rand Paul hit the golf course with Trump Saturday morning — a rare moment of calm amid the storm.
Trump has also taken to social media to publicly pressure dissenters. North Carolina’s Thom Tillis got a sharp message from the former president on Truth Social, where Trump accused Tillis of making a “BIG MISTAKE” and hinted at supporting primary challengers against him in the near future.
Meanwhile, Senate GOP leaders — including Lindsey Graham and John Barrasso — were tirelessly lobbying members behind closed doors, pushing to keep the fragile coalition intact.
The Narrow Path Ahead: What Happens If the Vote Passes?
If the Senate clears this first hurdle, the real grind begins. Democrats are already gearing up for a major slowdown tactic — they plan to have clerks read the entire bill aloud, a move expected to take 10 to 15 hours. This stalling technique is meant to buy time and frustrate Republicans as they try to push the president’s agenda.
After this marathon reading, senators will dive into debate and then enter what’s called a “vote-a-rama.” This is a notorious, hours-long session where senators, mostly Democrats, throw out a flood of amendments — some political stunts, others substantive proposals — designed to trap Republicans and create campaign fodder.
Adding to the GOP’s challenges, key Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine has made it clear she wants changes through the amendment process. She’s warned she might vote no if her concerns aren’t addressed. That’s unusual for a GOP bill and signals more internal wrangling ahead.
House Republicans and the Pressure Cooker
It’s not just the Senate feeling the heat. Over in the House, Speaker Mike Johnson held a quick 15-minute call Saturday with his caucus to rally support and keep members from publicly criticizing the Senate bill. Johnson urged Republicans to hold their fire publicly — no X (formerly Twitter) posts or public complaints — as the bill is still in flux.
But not everyone’s on board. Rep. David Valadao from California publicly opposed the Senate bill because of Medicaid changes, while Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey lamented the shift, saying, “We had hit a sweet spot with our bill.”
Why Does This Matter?
This bill is huge for Trump and GOP leadership. They want it signed at the White House on July 4 — a symbolic, patriotic deadline that shows they’re delivering on promises. But with razor-thin margins in the Senate and a divided House, that’s far from guaranteed.
Key Takeaways:
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Senate GOP is on edge: Three Republicans have already voted no, and only three “no” votes can be lost to keep the bill alive.
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JD Vance’s tie-breaking vote could be decisive: His presence in the Capitol is a big deal.
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Lisa Murkowski’s vote is a win for GOP: Special provisions helped swing her support.
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Trump is playing hardball: Meetings, social media attacks, and golf outings all part of the strategy.
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Democrats plan delay tactics: Long readings and vote-a-ramas aimed at stalling.
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Susan Collins could shake things up: Her demands for amendments add unpredictability.
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House Republicans are pressured to stay quiet: Internal divisions linger.
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