Overview

• With only a 53–47 GOP majority, senators such as Rand Paul and Ron Johnson warn they could block the bill unless it includes more aggressive deficit reductions.
• Senate negotiators are pressing to boost Medicaid savings above the House’s $625 billion proposal, tighten SNAP rules, adjust SALT limits and roll back select energy tax credits.
• Nonpartisan CBO analyses project the legislation will add $3 trillion to $5 trillion to the debt over the next decade despite $1.5 trillion in House cuts, fueling budget hawk opposition.
• The package would permanently extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, exempt overtime pay and tips from taxation, and increase funding for border security and the military to spur growth.
• White House and OMB officials contend economic expansion and tariff revenues will narrow future deficits, but heated town halls over Medicaid work requirements and SNAP reforms highlight political risks.