Washington, D.C., June 29, 2025 — US President Donald Trump’s highly contentious tax and spending bill, dubbed by supporters as the “Big Beautiful Bill,” has officially landed on the Senate floor for debate and vote this Saturday afternoon. While the majority of Republicans have rallied behind the legislation, cracks within the GOP are beginning to show as several prominent members have publicly declared their opposition.
At the center of the controversy is the bill’s proposed reduction in federal aid programs, including Medicaid, food stamps, and clean energy tax credits—cuts that critics argue would disproportionately impact vulnerable Americans. The 940-page document was released to lawmakers just before midnight Friday, giving them little time to review its sweeping provisions before the vote.
GOP Defections: Who’s Opposing Trump’s Bill?
Despite Trump’s strong push and Senate Majority Leader John Thune calling the bill a “wonderful celebration for our country,” some Republicans are breaking ranks. Here are the most notable dissenters:
Rep. David Valadao (R-CA)
Representing California’s Central Valley, where nearly two-thirds of residents depend on Medicaid, Valadao has drawn a clear red line.
“I will not support any legislation that strips healthcare access from my district. Period,” Valadao said in a statement.
Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI)
A fiscal conservative, Johnson slammed the bill for doing too little to rein in spending and too much to balloon the deficit. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the bill could add between $2.3 to $4 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade.
“I cannot in good conscience support a bill that undermines our financial future,” Johnson told reporters.Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC)
Tillis’s objections are two-fold: he criticized the Medicaid cuts as harmful to “those who need it most,” and voiced concern over the abrupt elimination of clean energy tax credits, which he warned could upend ongoing investments in North Carolina’s energy sector.
“The sudden rollback of these incentives sends the wrong signal to businesses and threatens thousands of jobs,” Tillis said.
What’s Inside the “Big Beautiful Bill”?
Supporters argue that the bill represents a “bold reshaping” of the American economy, aiming to:
- Slash taxes for corporations and high-income earners
- Reduce federal funding for programs like Medicaid and SNAP
- Eliminate several clean energy tax credits
- Increase defense and infrastructure spending
Critics, however, see it as a regressive policy that could leave millions without vital safety nets, while further enriching the wealthiest Americans.
Budget Office Flags Huge Deficit Impact
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office released a preliminary assessment estimating that the bill could lead to a deficit surge of up to $4 trillion over the next ten years—fueled largely by tax breaks and reduced federal revenues.
This has raised alarm bells among moderate Republicans and independents, many of whom campaigned on promises of fiscal responsibility.
Clock Ticking on Senate Vote
The exact timing of the procedural vote in the Senate remains uncertain, with many lawmakers expressing frustration over the last-minute release of the lengthy bill.
“This is a 940-page bill dropped on our desks at midnight. We owe it to our constituents to read it before we vote on it,” said an anonymous Republican senator.
What Happens Next?
If the bill passes the Senate, it will need to return to the House for another round of approval due to some amendments and procedural requirements before reaching President Trump’s desk for his signature.
Despite internal opposition, Trump remains confident that the bill will pass. “We’re doing something big. This bill is a beautiful thing. Everyone’s going to win,” he told supporters in a recent rally.
The Bigger Picture
This vote marks a pivotal moment for the GOP and the broader national discourse on economic equity, fiscal responsibility, and the future of America’s social safety net. While the bill’s fate hangs in the balance, its political reverberations are likely to be felt well beyond Capitol Hill—particularly as the 2026 midterms loom.
