Big Beautiful Buzz

The Senate passed the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” yesterday afternoon.

It. Was. A. Slog. The Upper Chamber endured an over-24-hour “vote-a-rama” on amendments as Republican leadership worked to shore up votes. Eventually, three Republican Senators joined all 47 Democrats in voting “no,” and VP Vance broke the 50-50 tie.

Now the 940-page bill—representing many of President Trump’s priorities, including making 2017’s tax cuts permanent—heads back to the House for approval… which is not guaranteed. The House only narrowly passed its version of the bill, 215-214, in May, and the Senate made meaningful changes, including a further $130B reduction to Medicaid ($930B total).

The Congressional Budget Office projects the Senate’s version will add $3.3T to the national debt, a figure that reignited Elon Musk’s vocal opposition to the legislation and resurrected his feud with President Trump.

Verse to consider when tempted to feel like everything is riding on Congress… “I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2 (CSB) (read full passage)