Senate Republicans Push Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' Forward, but Final Vote Remains Uncertain** *By Nadine Yousif, BBC News

Senate Republicans have narrowly advanced a major budget bill central to President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda, with a 51-49 vote to open debate. The bill, dubbed Trump’s "Big Beautiful Bill," faces a critical final vote ahead of a self-imposed 4 July deadline.

The 940-page legislation, released just after midnight on Saturday, sparked intense debate. Senate Majority Leader John Thune rallied support for the vote, but two Republicans, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, joined Democrats in opposing it. Paul objected to a provision raising the US debt limit, while Tillis cited significant healthcare funding cuts that would cost his state billions, particularly impacting Medicaid, which supports millions of elderly, disabled, and low-income Americans.

Trump hailed the procedural victory as a “great victory” on social media, while criticising Paul, writing, “Did Rand Paul Vote ‘NO’ again tonight? What’s wrong with this guy???” The bill secured support from some hesitant Republicans, including centrists Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine. However, Collins clarified she only supported opening debate, not final passage, expressing concerns over healthcare cuts and insufficient support for rural hospitals. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, initially opposed, switched his vote to advance the bill. The legislation, which extends $3.8tn (£2.8tn) in Trump’s tax cuts, includes contentious welfare programme reductions that could leave 7.8 million Americans without health insurance, according to the Congressional Budget Office. It also features tax deductions on Social Security benefits, eliminates taxes on overtime work and tips, and extends 2017 Republican tax cuts. Other provisions include Medicaid restrictions and changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), with temporary exemptions for Alaska and Hawaii after lobbying from their senators. Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, vowed to delay the process, demanding the bill’s near-1,000 pages be read aloud in the Senate. Schumer accused Republicans of rushing a “radical bill” without public scrutiny. Senator Patty Murray called the proposed healthcare cuts “the largest in history.” Billionaire Elon Musk also criticised the bill on X, warning it would “destroy millions of jobs” due to taxes on solar and wind energy projects. The bill requires a simple majority to pass the Senate, where Republicans hold 53 of 100 seats, with Vice-President JD Vance available to break a tie. However, with only three defections affordable, its passage remains uncertain. If approved, the bill returns to the House of Representatives, where some Republicans have concerns over Senate amendments. A final vote is expected soon. *Related Stories:* - A look at the key items in Trump’s 'big, beautiful bill' - Trump on a high after ‘tremendous’ wins at home and abroad - ‘In business, indecision is killer’ – Canadian firms seek certainty in tariff war