President Donald Trump urges swift passage of his sweeping tax and immigration proposal—dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”—which seeks to extend tax cuts, impose stricter immigration rules, and slash federal spending as part of his 2025 legislative agenda. (photo courtesy of the White House)
Senate faces internal GOP split as Trump rallies for passage of signature agenda
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump is pushing Senate Republicans to deliver his most ambitious legislative package yet—the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”—to his desk by July 4, intensifying a political showdown that could shape the remainder of the 2026 campaign season.
In a June 1 post on Truth Social, Trump called on lawmakers to move “as fast as they can” to finalize the bill, which narrowly passed the House last month. The sweeping proposal includes tax cuts, immigration reforms, and major federal spending reductions. But with internal Republican divisions surfacing in the Senate, its fate remains far from certain.
Key Provisions: Taxes, Immigration, and Spending Cuts
At its core, the bill builds on Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. It increases the child tax credit to $2,500 through 2028, allows a $10,000 credit for buyers of American-made vehicles, and raises the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap to $40,000 for households earning under $500,000. It also introduces new tax deductions for tipped and overtime income—measures framed as relief for hourly and service workers.
On immigration, the legislation reinstates the “Remain in Mexico” policy for asylum seekers, mandates nationwide E-Verify usage by employers, and fast-tracks deportation proceedings for undocumented immigrants with criminal records.
To fund these changes, the bill proposes cutting $600 billion from Medicaid over the next decade, largely by enforcing work requirements. According to a May 29 analysis by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Medicaid cuts could result in 8.6 million Americans losing coverage. The bill would also raise the debt ceiling by $4 trillion, suspending borrowing limits through 2030.
Senate Divisions Threaten Timeline
With a narrow 51–49 Senate majority, Republicans can afford to lose no more than three votes. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is leading negotiations, but resistance is coming from both moderate and conservative wings of the party.
Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Josh Hawley (R-MO) have expressed concerns over the impact of Medicaid reductions and immigration tightening. On the opposite end, Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) argue that the bill fails to cut spending deeply enough and object to lifting the debt ceiling. Johnson, in a statement to The Wall Street Journal, called the package “fiscal madness.”
Any amendments made in the Senate would require approval from the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) warned that changes could fracture the fragile coalition that passed the bill by a 219–213 margin.
Trump Mobilizes Behind the Scenes
While Trump has no public events scheduled this week, White House officials confirm he has been personally lobbying senators by phone. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a briefing Tuesday that the bill reflects “the President’s commitment to restoring economic fairness and border integrity.”
NPR reports that administration aides are planning targeted visits to states represented by undecided GOP senators, hoping to apply political pressure ahead of the July 4 deadline.
Concerns from Asian American Advocates
Asian American organizations have voiced alarm over the bill’s immigration components, especially provisions that would reduce family-based visa categories and tighten asylum eligibility.
“Policies like these impact thousands of Asian American families—particularly those in mixed-status households,” said Connie Chung Joe, CEO of Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), in a June 3 press statement. “We urge lawmakers to consider the human cost of these rushed reforms.”
The group called for Congress to preserve family reunification pathways, which have historically been a cornerstone of legal Asian immigration to the United States.
What’s at Stake
As Senate negotiations continue, the clock ticks toward July 4—a deadline Trump and his allies are treating as both symbolic and strategic. If successful, the bill would mark the most significant conservative legislative win since the 2017 tax overhaul. If it fails, it could expose deep fissures in Republican priorities heading into the midterms.
“We’re doing what’s right for American workers, taxpayers, and families,” said Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), one of the bill’s key supporters. “Let’s get it done.”
But with moderates and hardliners still far apart, the road to final passage remains uncertain.
