The US Senate voted on a major spending bill that could hurt millions of Americans. The Congressional Budget Office says the bill would remove health insurance from nearly 12 million people. The same report shows the bill would add $3.3 trillion to America's debt. Republican leaders pushed hard to advance President Trump's legislation through Congress. The bill passed a test vote with a narrow 51-49 margin.
Two Republicans voted against their party's bill on Saturday night. Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina broke ranks and announced he would not run for reelection. Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky also opposed the measure because it raises debt limits. Tillis worried the bill would cost his state billions in healthcare funding. Democrats have criticized the bill for cutting healthcare programs that help poor and disabled Americans.
The bill would require most adults to work before they can receive Medicaid benefits. Republicans want to eliminate fraud and waste from government programs. Senator Markwayne Mullin argues that many Medicaid users earn above poverty levels. The legislation would give tax cuts to more than 80 percent of Americans next year. Wealthy people would receive the largest tax breaks under this plan.
Democrats used Senate rules to delay the final vote on the massive bill. They forced lawmakers to read the entire 1000-page document aloud for 16 hours. The bill must pass both chambers of Congress before Trump can sign it into law. Trump wants Congress to approve the legislation before July 4th. The White House called any failure to pass the bill the ultimate betrayal.
Two Republicans voted against their party's bill on Saturday night. Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina broke ranks and announced he would not run for reelection. Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky also opposed the measure because it raises debt limits. Tillis worried the bill would cost his state billions in healthcare funding. Democrats have criticized the bill for cutting healthcare programs that help poor and disabled Americans.
The bill would require most adults to work before they can receive Medicaid benefits. Republicans want to eliminate fraud and waste from government programs. Senator Markwayne Mullin argues that many Medicaid users earn above poverty levels. The legislation would give tax cuts to more than 80 percent of Americans next year. Wealthy people would receive the largest tax breaks under this plan.
Democrats used Senate rules to delay the final vote on the massive bill. They forced lawmakers to read the entire 1000-page document aloud for 16 hours. The bill must pass both chambers of Congress before Trump can sign it into law. Trump wants Congress to approve the legislation before July 4th. The White House called any failure to pass the bill the ultimate betrayal.
