Early Saturday, the Senate passed a budget framework with a 51-48 vote, kicking off the reconciliation process that allows legislation to pass with a simple majority, bypassing the typical 60-vote threshold.
This marks a significant step toward fulfilling President Trump’s major campaign promises, including tax cuts on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits. Although the details of the package are still unclear, the vote is seen as a key victory for Trump, who pushed Republicans to merge his primary policy goals into a single, comprehensive bill. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) praised the budget plan as a mandate from the American people to achieve goals like secure borders, tax cuts, affordable energy, national strength, and more effective governance.
Republicans aim to finalize the package by the end of May, but expect intense debates over its specifics in the coming months. The proposal may extend provisions from Trump’s 2017 tax law, potentially raise the SALT deduction cap (currently set at $10,000), and introduce tax breaks for American-made car buyers. However, the exact details on the SALT cap and the tax cuts for tips and Social Security remain uncertain, with income thresholds or Senate parliamentarian rulings potentially limiting them. Only two Republicans, Senators Susan Collins and Rand Paul, voted against the plan. Meanwhile, Democrats raised objections during a prolonged “vote-a-rama,” criticizing cuts to federal agencies under Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, which aims to reduce annual spending by $1 trillion. The bill also includes a $5 trillion increase in the debt ceiling, removing a key bargaining tool for future negotiations. Among the rejected amendments was one from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to limit Trump’s newly announced tariffs, including a 25% duty on foreign cars and auto parts, which have already unsettled the stock market. Schumer condemned Republicans for failing to block measures that he believes threaten Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
