Live updates: It's go time for Senate on Trump's megabill. Do they have the votes?

USA Today

5 hours ago

Senate leadership is hoping to move forward passing the bill over the weekend, getting one step closer to meeting Trump's self-imposed July 4 deadline.
WASHINGTON − President Donald Trump's package of legislative priorities − stuffed with tax cuts, Medicaid reforms and border security funding − heads into the home stretch in the Senate amid uncertainty it can reach the finish line.
The Senate is set to launch an hours-long debate June 28 that should culminate with a vote in which Democrats are all expected to vote no. The question for Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, is whether enough Republicans will support their version to send it back to the House.
"We'll find out," Thune said of the final vote anticipated June 29.
If successful, the House would have to vote on the Senate changes in order to reach Trump's desk by his self-imposed deadline of July 4. The Senate has trimmed the House version from about 1,100 pages to 940 − and still faces votes on what are expected to be dozens of amendments.
The success of Trump's domestic agenda for tax cuts and border security hangs in the balance. Republican approval of the spending blueprint would allow a majority of the 100-member Senate to approve all of Trump's priorities included in it through legislation later in the year, rather than needing 60 votes to overcome a filibuster for each measure.
Here's what we know about the legislative package:
What is in the bill?
The largest provisions in the legislation would extend expiring tax cuts and create a few new ones, and a dramatic increasing in spending on border security.
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, a Republican holdout on the bill, said he wouldn't vote for the bill unless the debt limit gets a separate vote. But Republican leaders want to keep the unpopular vote within the overall package. −Bart Jansen
What's not in the Senate version of the bill?
Republican support in the Senate waned after Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled several significant provisions would have to be removed to avoid a filibuster.
Republicans removed provisions to curb environmental regulations; restrict federal judges' powers; bulk up immigration enforcement; and cut funding from a consumer protection agency.
MacDonough also ruled against provisions that aimed to reduce Medicaid spending on health care programs for undocumented immigrants. −Bart Jansen
What does Trump say about the Senate version of the bill?
The Trump administration 'strongly supports' the Senate version of the bill, in a White House Office of Management and Budget statement June 28.
The statement isn't intended to favor the Senate version over the House version on any particular provision, but to signal Trump would sign it if approved by Congress. The two-page statement highlighted provisions for tax cuts, border security, energy and defense.
'President Trump is committed to keeping his promises, and failure to pass this bill would be the ultimate betrayal," the statement said. −Bart Jansen