- Republicans face internal divisions over Medicaid cuts, SNAP provisions, and spending concerns, putting key votes at risk for Trump’s massive bill.
- Senate GOP leaders push for a weekend vote despite ongoing negotiations and uncertainties around the final text and member support.
- Democrats prepare to delay proceedings with procedural tactics and amendments, adding pressure to the GOP’s already tense timeline.
The clock is ticking in Washington, and Senate Republicans are entering a high-stakes weekend with nerves running high. They’re rushing to rally enough support for President Trump’s sprawling tax and spending bill—a legislative behemoth that’s shaping up to be one of the most consequential and controversial efforts of his presidency. But as they prepare for a potential procedural vote on Saturday afternoon, one thing remains unclear: do they actually have the votes?
Internal Divisions Threaten Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”
Republican leadership has been scrambling behind the scenes, holding last-minute negotiations and reworking parts of the bill in a desperate bid to appease both conservatives and moderates. The final version of the bill was made public just before midnight Friday, reflecting a mix of technical corrections and intense backroom bargaining. Still, the path to passage is anything but certain.
Senate Majority Whip John Thune tried to project calm confidence. But when asked Friday if the votes were there, he offered a nervous laugh and replied, “We’ll find out tomorrow.”
And that uncertainty looms large.
The GOP has little room for error. They can only afford to lose three votes, and several key senators are digging in their heels. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has made it clear he won’t support the bill as long as it includes a \$5 trillion increase to the debt ceiling—a red line he’s drawn repeatedly.
Thom Tillis Draws a Line Over Medicaid Cuts
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina also emerged as a major obstacle, opposing the bill’s rollback of an existing cap on provider taxes, which would deepen cuts to Medicaid. Tillis, who faces reelection next year, warned that the measure would devastate his state, possibly costing North Carolina over $30 billion.
“This isn’t just about policy,” Tillis said. “There are political consequences for ignoring what’s at stake here. This would be a nightmare for Republicans in my state.”
Leadership, clearly worried, sprang into action. By Friday evening, they had tweaked the bill—delaying the provider tax changes until fiscal year 2028 instead of 2027. The hope? That Tillis might soften his stance. But skepticism runs deep. Some colleagues aren’t convinced he’ll stick to his “no” vote, pointing to his last-minute switch earlier this year in favor of Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon nomination.
“He always sounds firm,” said one Senate Republican. “But there’s a pattern.”
Conservative Bloc Balks at Lack of Spending Cuts
Meanwhile, conservative stalwarts like Senators Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Rick Scott of Florida, and Mike Lee of Utah are balking at the bill’s hefty price tag and lack of meaningful spending cuts. The trio could form a voting bloc that would spell doom for the package if they stay united.
Johnson, speaking late Friday, said he was still undecided and waiting to review the final text—something that only arrived hours earlier. His uncertainty adds more volatility to an already fragile situation.
Moderates Want More for SNAP and Rural Hospitals
On the other side of the ideological spectrum, moderates like Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine are sounding the alarm over proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Murkowski didn’t mince words: “We’re still in trouble on SNAP.”
Leadership is trying to sweeten the deal by adding targeted grants for Alaska and revising the SNAP language based on recent input from Murkowski and her colleague, Senator Dan Sullivan. But whether that’s enough to win her over remains a big question.
Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri also continues to express concern about Medicaid changes and their impact on rural hospitals. The revised bill includes at least \$25 billion to support those facilities, but Hawley says it might not be sufficient.
“How much is going to the hospitals? What are the final numbers?” he asked Friday. “There are still too many unknowns.”
Crunch Time: Delays and Tension Mount as Saturday Vote Looms
What was supposed to be a straightforward vote is now mired in delays. Thune had aimed for a noon vote Saturday, but that timeline is already slipping. Republicans are set to huddle over lunch before reconvening at 2 p.m. as negotiations drag on with the Senate parliamentarian.
Friday night was a flurry of activity. Lawmakers met with the parliamentarian to nail down last-minute legal clearances on key provisions, including Medicaid and tax items. Among the most hard-fought issues? The state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap.
House Republicans had already reached a deal with Speaker Mike Johnson to set the SALT cap at $40,000 for five years before it drops to $10,000—a compromise that seems likely to hold. Still, many Senate Republicans remain uneasy about how that could play out with voters in high-tax states.
“We’re very close,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, attempting to reassure reporters.
Bessent, along with Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma—who’s served as a go-between for the House and Senate—has been in near-constant talks with key negotiators all week.
Democrats Prepare to Slow It All Down
Just as Republicans inch closer to the finish line, Senate Democrats are ready to throw sand in the gears. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has threatened to demand the entire 1,000-page bill be read aloud on the floor—a time-consuming tactic that could stretch proceedings well into next week.
It wouldn’t be the first time. Back in 2021, Senator Ron Johnson pulled a similar move with the American Rescue Plan, forcing a six-hour reading session. Mullin warned this could take even longer—possibly double the time.
And that’s not all. Democrats are expected to offer a slew of amendments aimed at putting Republicans on the defensive, forcing them to cast tough votes on politically sensitive issues.
What’s at Stake for Trump and the GOP?
The pressure is enormous. For Trump, this bill is more than just numbers—it’s a legacy move, a defining legislative achievement as he heads into a critical election season. For Republicans in the Senate, it’s a test of unity under stress, a moment to show they can govern amid deep divisions.
As Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana put it bluntly, “It’s time for us to vote. We’re not going to agree on everything—that’s why God made amendments.”
But with holdouts on both the right and center, procedural traps from Democrats, and a mountain of unresolved concerns, the road ahead looks rocky.
Whether the bill makes it across the finish line this weekend—or collapses under its own weight—remains to be seen. One thing is clear: Republicans are gambling big, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.