Senate Faces Challenges Passing Trump Tax-Cut Bill

President Donald Trump's ambitious tax and spending legislation, dubbed the "big, beautiful" bill, faces significant hurdles as Senate Republicans express concerns about Medicaid cuts, food aid changes, and the growing federal deficit. Key issues include a freeze on the provider tax, which funds Medicaid in many rural states, with senators warning it could lead to hospital closures and harm vulnerable communities. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other negotiators must secure compromises to unite the Republican conference and ensure the bill can pass both the Senate and the House, which previously approved it by a narrow margin. Despite internal disagreements over clean-energy tax credits and deficit spending, GOP leaders remain committed to meeting their self-imposed July 4 deadline to send the bill to Trump's desk. Some senators, like Rick Scott and Ron Johnson, advocate for more stringent budget cuts and balanced budgets to address the national debt. Meanwhile, moderate Republicans like Sen. Thom Tillis anticipate delays in implementing certain tax provisions, including the controversial Section 899 "revenge tax," due to pushback from Wall Street and businesses.