**Senate Republicans Pass Major Tax and Spending Bill Amid Tensions**

**The passage of Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” highlights divisions within the GOP and raises questions about its future support in the House.**

After a marathon voting session that extended beyond 24 hours, Senate Republicans have succeeded in passing the controversial “One Big Beautiful Bill” championed by former President Donald Trump. The legislation, which tackles significant tax and spending reforms, was approved narrowly with Vice-President JD Vance casting the deciding vote in a tie, signaling a major victory for Trump’s second-term agenda.

Despite cheers from GOP members, the bill's passage was met with grim faces from Senate Democrats, who attempted to obstruct its progress through various procedural tactics. The focus of their discontent centers on significant cuts in social programs and concerns that the legislation could exacerbate the national deficit, estimated to increase by approximately $650 billion annually if implemented.

Originally stymied by intra-party disagreements regarding the legislation's impact on deficit spending and cuts to critical programs like Medicaid, Republican leaders managed to rally enough support following intense negotiations. Notable was the support from Alaska’s Senator Lisa Murkowski, who had initially withheld her backing over Medicaid-related concerns. Despite her vote, Murkowski expressed gratitude that the House would likely reconsider aspects of the bill, hinting that not all issues were adequately addressed in its hurried passage.

“It's a great bill,” Trump proclaimed during a visit to a Florida detention facility, claiming it would benefit many Americans. The proposed tax reforms include making permanent the tax cuts initially enacted during Trump’s first presidency, while efforts to offset expected revenue losses rely heavily on slashing funding for various welfare programs.

The bill now advances to the House of Representatives, where it is expected to face substantial resistance. House Republicans are confronted not only with the previous measures set by their Senate counterparts but also internal divisions, particularly from fiscally conservative members who disagree with the estimated deficit increase. Some members are also wary of potentially deeper cuts to healthcare subsidies for lower-income individuals that the Senate version proposes.

Trump's July 4 deadline for the bill's final approval looms overhead, and its future is uncertain. Further complicating matters, influential figures within the Republican party, like tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, have publicly criticized the bill's fiscal implications, threatening repercussions for party members who vote in favor of it.

As lawmakers gear up for what promises to be another intense legislative battle, the stakes are high for both parties with dire implications for vital support programs and budgetary responsibility at the forefront of discussions in the coming days.