WASHINGTON — A recent budget resolution proposed by Republicans was a focal point in the Senate, but discussions during the late-night debate took on broader implications. Democrats seized the overnight session that concluded early Friday to voice their indignation about the actions taken by President Donald Trump during his initial month in office and to issue warnings concerning future impacts.
The discussions extended beyond the $340 billion budget framework that emphasized border security and deportations. Issues such as the drastic cuts to the federal workforce under Trump adviser Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, attacks on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the GOP’s initiatives to prolong tax breaks for affluent individuals while slashing safety net programs were brought under scrutiny. With Democrats no longer holding power in Washington, they took to the Senate floor to introduce numerous amendments, prolonging the debate into the early hours of Friday.
Senator Patty Murray of Washington initiated the debate, emphasizing that legislators are expected to improve the lives of their constituents rather than exacerbate their challenges. “But that’s exactly what Trump and Musk are doing,” Murray stated, expressing her concerns that the proposed budget would only worsen the nation’s pressing issues.
Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, who serves as the leading Democrat on the Budget Committee, introduced a new term: “Trumpflation.” He challenged his colleagues to consider how the administration’s “big, beautiful, bill” would benefit the American public, advocating for the dismissal of the proposal in a veiled reference to Musk’s comments about dismantling parts of the federal government. “There’s nothing ‘beautiful’ about destroying programs families depend on,” Merkley asserted.
As the extensive “vote-a-rama” unfolded, Democrats introduced various amendments aimed at halting tax breaks for the wealthiest, reinstating recently laid-off public workers, preserving Medicaid, and sustaining support for Ukraine, among other issues. Colorado Senator Michael Bennet proposed reinstating federal employees from agencies like the Forest Service and National Park Service. Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan sought to protect funding for government initiatives aimed at combatting avian flu amid rising egg prices, while Senators Jack Reed of Rhode Island and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire advocated for firm U.S. support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia. However, none of these amendments were accepted.
Throughout the night, Democrats appeared more focused on addressing various concerns than on Trump’s immigration agenda and his plans for enhanced border security, which are central to the $340 billion budget proposal. These immigration issues have historically divided Democrats, who faced challenges in countering Trump’s deportation efforts during the fall elections and are still searching for effective responses.
On the other hand, Republicans highlighted this disunity as they moved forward with their budget proposal, which passed with a 52-48 vote, largely along party lines. One Republican, Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky, opposed the measure, aligning with all Democratic senators in dissent. The approved package must now reconcile with a concurrent proposal from the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson is formulating Trump’s expansive “big, beautiful bill,” which includes around $4.5 trillion in tax incentives and potential spending cuts close to $2 trillion.
As dawn approached, Senator Chris Coons of Delaware sought to introduce an amendment aimed at restricting access to Americans’ private information held by “unvetted and unaccountable” DOGE workers. The proposal was rejected by Republicans in a resounding vote against it. Following the failure of various amendments designed to limit tax breaks for billionaires, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren attempted to enact a restriction on those earning $10 million, which did not pass. Similar efforts by Arizona Senator Mark Kelly to set the cap at $100 million and Maine Senator Angus King’s proposal of $500 million also met with failure.
Republican Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana commented on the evening as akin to “professional wrestling” and criticized Democrats for veering off-topic, reaffirming that the bill’s main focus was border security, with tax cuts to be discussed at a later time. At the start of the discussions, Senator Bernie Sanders, a former chair of the Budget Committee, elaborated on his proposals, including the enhancement of Social Security benefits and extending Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing aid needs for seniors. He emphasized it is unacceptable for many seniors to struggle to afford essential items like eyeglasses and hearing aids, arguing that such circumstances should not exist in the United States by 2025.
Sanders also condemned Trump’s assertion that Ukraine was responsible for initiating the war rather than acknowledging the invasion by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2022. “Really?” Sanders questioned skeptically, calling for fellow senators to challenge such untruths. “That is, as I hope every member of the Senate knows, an absolute lie.”
