Senate Debates Trump’s Controversial $2.4 Trillion Budget Bill

President Donald Trump's 'big beautiful bill,' a sprawling legislative package exceeding a thousand pages, has sparked intense debate in the Senate due to its projected $2.4 trillion addition to the deficit over ten years and internal Republican divisions over its fiscal responsibility. The bill includes controversial provisions such as the Educational Choice for Children Act, introducing a $20 billion nationwide private school voucher program that critics argue threatens public education and forces taxpayer support for religious institutions. Key Senate Republicans express concerns over insufficient spending cuts and aggressive Medicaid reforms, complicating efforts to secure the narrow GOP majority's approval. The package funds defense and law enforcement heavily, drawing criticism for prioritizing military spending and police bonuses while offering little relief or support for middle- and lower-income Americans. Opponents highlight the bill's failure to address pressing social needs, with some labeling it a squandered opportunity and a policy misstep that will have long-lasting negative impacts. As Senate Republicans negotiate, internal factions remain at odds over tax policy, healthcare reforms, and spending levels, making the bill's passage uncertain.