Senate Democrats Force Marathon Reading of Trump’s Massive Bill Amid Fierce Partisan Battle

Senate Democrats Force 16-Hour Marathon Reading of Trump’s Massive Legislation

On a Sunday afternoon that tested Senate stamina, Democrats wrapped up a grueling 16-hour oral reading of President Donald Trump’s sprawling 940-page legislative package. The so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” was finally finished around 3:03 p.m. ET, according to Fox News congressional correspondent Chad Pergram on X (formerly Twitter). What started as a late Friday night surprise by Republicans quickly turned into a full-on procedural showdown, revealing the deep partisan rift over Trump’s ambitious agenda.

Why This Reading Mattered — And Why It Dragged On

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, orchestrated this marathon reading as a deliberate delay tactic. The goal? To force Republicans to confront the entire bill line by line, shining a harsh spotlight on provisions Democrats say could hurt millions of American families. This wasn’t just politics as usual — it was a strategic chess move in a broader war over the future of federal spending and policy.

Democrats accused Republicans of rushing the bill’s release “in the dead of night” late Friday, a tactic designed to avoid scrutiny. But by forcing the full verbal recitation, Schumer and his team used every parliamentary tool available to slow down the GOP’s push, which aims to get the bill signed by Independence Day.

What’s in the “Big Beautiful Bill” Anyway?

At its core, this legislation is a mix of spending cuts, tax changes, and budget priorities aimed at reshaping government programs while supporting Trump’s key domestic goals. It attempts to offset the 2017 tax cuts enacted under Trump by slashing spending in areas like Medicaid by nearly $930 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The bill also proposes increased military funding, expanded oil drilling, and beefed-up immigration enforcement.

A particularly controversial provision would eliminate taxes on tips, much to the delight of workers in the hospitality industry. Meanwhile, the House’s version allocates $8 billion to hire 10,000 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents over five years, signaling a hardline stance on immigration. To balance the budget, Republicans proposed major cuts to social safety nets, though some GOP lawmakers have expressed concerns about the healthcare implications.

The CBO’s Stark Projections: Millions at Risk

The nonpartisan CBO report painted a grim picture under the House’s version of the bill. It projects that nearly 11 million people could lose health coverage, and food assistance programs would shrink, with about 3 million fewer qualifying for aid. While the wealthiest Americans might see a tax cut averaging $12,000, the lowest earners could face out-of-pocket cost increases around $1,600.

Even more alarming, the bill would add an estimated $2.4 trillion to the national deficit over the next decade. Republicans dispute these figures, but the numbers underscore the massive fiscal shift this legislation represents. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky summed it up bluntly on X: “It is very clear people don't want this extreme amount of debt and reckless spending.”

The Bipartisan Resistance: Few GOP Senators Voice Concerns

Despite the partisan showdown, a couple of Republicans broke ranks. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Senator Rand Paul both opposed the bill’s procedural vote Saturday, joining the Democrats. Tillis warned the bill’s cuts could cost his state “tens of billions of dollars,” jeopardizing hospitals and rural healthcare access. He stressed that Medicaid cuts would force painful decisions affecting hundreds of thousands of residents.

Paul focused on the national debt, questioning the wisdom of expanding benefits to wealthy individuals like Elon Musk — “Is that a wise use of our $$?” he tweeted, adding a dose of humor to a serious fiscal debate.

Political Fireworks and Social Media Blasts

President Trump, riding high after the procedural vote, took to his favorite platform, Truth Social, Sunday morning to praise the GOP’s efforts. “VERY PROUD OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TONIGHT. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!” he declared, rallying his base for the battles ahead.

On the flip side, Senate Minority Leader Schumer fired back on X with a hard-hitting message: “LIE: Trump says this Big, Beautiful Betrayal will CUT the deficit by $4.9 TRILLION. FACT: This bill will INCREASE our debt by more than $3.3 TRILLION. More than any single bill in American history.” The debate over numbers and impact continues to fuel fierce partisan clashes.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also weighed in with strong language, calling out Republicans for “pushing an insane and destructive budget that will ruin millions of lives” and accusing them of failing to deliver on promises to lower inflation.

Historical Context: A Rare Legislative Tactic

This kind of forced, full reading of a massive bill is rare but not unprecedented. The last time Senate clerks had to read aloud an entire bill was back in 2021, when Republican Senator Ron Johnson compelled a reading of President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Act. These procedural maneuvers are often used as stalling tactics to expose details of complex legislation and create political headaches.

What’s Next? The Long Road Ahead

With the reading complete, the Senate now moves into a marathon 20-hour debate session split evenly between Democrats and Republicans. Democrats are expected to use their entire allotment to slow progress, while Republicans plan a shorter debate, eager to push the bill toward a vote.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. This legislation will fundamentally reshape federal spending, taxation, and social programs, affecting millions across income levels. With July 4th looming, the countdown is on to see if Trump’s signature bill can survive the legislative gauntlet or if partisan resistance will prevail.

Quick Recap: Key Takeaways

• 16-hour reading: Democrats forced a full verbal reading of the 940-page bill, slowing down GOP momentum.

• Medicaid cuts: The bill proposes slashing Medicaid by $930 billion, risking healthcare for millions.

• CBO projections: Nearly 11 million could lose health coverage; $2.4 trillion added to the deficit.

• Mixed GOP reactions: Senators Tillis and Paul broke ranks to oppose.

• Trump’s priorities: Military funding up, tip taxes eliminated, ICE expansion.

• Next steps: 20-hour Senate debate ahead, with Democrats planning a marathon slowdown.