Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” is back in the Senate — and the vote-a-rama is underway.
Think political chaos, sugarcoated bribes (it’s not like I disdain the mechanics of American politics at all, perish the thought!), and last-minute carve-outs flying fast enough to knock a lobbyist off K Street.
Here’s what they’re adding, changing, or trying to sneak past while the rest of us sweat through summer.
Medicaid on the Chopping Block — But With a Pillow
The House version slashed Medicaid with gleeful cruelty. The Senate is trying to soften the blow. One amendment delays cuts and tosses $25 billion at rural hospitals — an unsubtle pitch to moderates like Murkowski and Tillis.
SNAP to Judgment
States with high food stamp “error rates” get punished under the bill. Senate amendments would slow-roll the shift, add waivers for places like Alaska and Hawaii, and give swing-vote senators something to point to back home.
The SALT Cap Gets a Temporary Boost
The state and local tax deduction cap could rise from $10k to $40k — at least for a few years. It’s a sweetener for blue-state Republicans and high earners who miss their write-offs.
A Tax Break for Everyone and Their Waiter
New amendments add breaks for tipped workers, seniors (a $6,000 deduction), and anyone clocking overtime. Because nothing says fiscal responsibility like shoving in a dozen shiny deductions before recess.
Child Tax Credit Tug-of-War
The House wants $2,500 per kid. The Senate drops it closer to $2,200. Expect more wrangling here — especially with 2026 midterms already casting a shadow over the vote count.
Clean Energy … Not Dead Yet
Senate Dems are scrambling to save some of the renewable energy tax credits gutted by the House. That includes EV incentives, solar breaks, and maybe a lifeline for green jobs in swing states.
Debt Ceiling Drama
The Senate version raises the debt ceiling by $5 trillion —$1 trillion more than the House. It’s a reminder that under all the political branding, this bill is still a grenade lobbed at the federal balance sheet.
Byrd Rule Body Count
The Parliamentarian has already struck down suppressor tax cuts and EPA rollbacks. Some senators want them revived. Others are quietly cheering their demise. Welcome to procedural warfare.
What’s Next?
Once the Senate’s done rewriting this thing, it heads back to the House — where all hell may break loose. But with July 4 as the artificial deadline, expect pressure, posturing, and a few more “beautiful” surprises.
