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The United States Senate approved this Tuesday the ambitious bill One Big Beautiful Bill, championed by President Donald Trump, known as the "big and beautiful bill," valued at $3.3 trillion, amid intense political divisions and growing concerns about its social impact.
With the vote split along party lines, the plan was approved thanks to the tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance, after three Republican senators—Thom Tillis, Rand Paul, and Susan Collins—opposed the proposal. No Senate Democrats supported the initiative, reported FOX News.
While this event unfolded in the Capitol, applause erupted in Florida during an event with Trump when he was notified live about the project's approval. "Thank you. Wow! I'm hearing these wonderful words, and they are music to my ears," the president said, excited in front of an enthusiastic audience.
The bill, which is now returning to the House of Representatives, faces criticism from both the right and the center of the Republican Party. The so-called "fiscal hawks" of the Freedom Caucus consider the spending cuts to be insufficient, while the moderates express concern about cuts to Medicaid, the health program that benefits millions of low-income individuals in the United States, including immigrants and citizens of Latino descent.
“We know that they will have some issues there, just as we had some when the topic arrived here”, acknowledged Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), who is confident that the final text will be accepted in the House.
The opposition to the project is significant. Although Republican leaders like the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, have called for limiting amendments, internal resistance threatens to hinder the progress of the initiative, despite the optimism of the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Jason Smith, who assures that the project will be on Trump's desk before July 4th.
Even Elon Musk launched a severe criticism against the fiscal megaproyect. “The latest version of the plan will destroy millions of jobs and cause immense strategic harm to the country,” he denounced on his X account (formerly Twitter), where he labeled the initiative as “absolutely insane and destructive.”
Beyond the political spectacle, which included protests in the Senate gallery and lengthy debate sessions, the reality is that the content of the plan could have a profound impact on millions of working families and vulnerable sectors.
The Cuban-American congresswoman María Elvira Salazar defined it as a defense of the "American dream."
What the White House says
From the Executive Branch, the Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, defended the project as the largest tax cut in history and a way to sustain “recovery without inflation.” According to the government:
An average family of four could see their net salary increase between 7,800 dollars and 13,300 dollars.
The average worker would receive between $6,100 and $11,600 more per year.
An additional $500 will be permanently added to the Child Tax Credit.
Taxes on tips, overtime, and pensions will be eliminated.
Factories and cars made in the U.S. will be promoted, along with tax incentives for their purchase or expansion.
But they also issued a warning: “If the project does not get approved, it would be catastrophic. We would see the largest tax increase in history and a substantial rise in unemployment.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Trump's "Great and Beautiful Bill"
What is the "great and beautiful piece of legislation" approved by the U.S. Senate?
The "great and beautiful legislative project," known as One Big Beautiful Bill, is an ambitious fiscal package promoted by President Donald Trump, valued at $3.3 trillion. This project aims to implement historic tax cuts, increase spending on defense and border security, and make significant reductions to social programs such as Medicaid.
What was the result of the Senate vote on Trump's bill?
The U.S. Senate approved the bill with a divided vote along party lines, requiring the tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance due to the opposition of three Republican senators and the lack of support from Democrats. This allowed the bill to advance to the House of Representatives for further deliberations.
What criticisms has Trump’s “great and beautiful” bill received?
The bill has received criticism from both progressive sectors and prominent Republican figures. Elon Musk, for example, has described it as "absolutely crazy and destructive," warning that it will destroy millions of jobs and cause immense strategic damage to the country. Additionally, there are concerns about the impact it will have on essential social programs such as Medicaid.
How will the "great and beautiful piece of legislation" affect U.S. border security?
The bill includes a significant investment in border security, allocating $46.5 billion for the construction of the border wall and the hiring of more Border Patrol agents. This measure is presented by the Trump administration as crucial for ensuring the sovereignty and security of the country.
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