US Vice President Vance casts tie-breaking vote as Senate passes GOP megabill
The final 51-50 vote followed intense negotiations as lawmakers worked through the weekend before launching a 27-hour marathon of amendment votes on the floor, during which Republican leaders sought to win the support of holdouts, the report said.
As per The Hill, the massive GOP bill, which includes significant tax cuts, deep reductions to federal aid programmes, and major shifts in energy and immigration policy, was passed despite unified Democratic opposition and defections from three Republican senators: Thom Tillis (NC), Rand Paul (Ky.), and Susan Collins (Maine).
The bill's fate remained uncertain until the final hours, with GOP leaders scrambling to secure support from Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who raised strong concerns over proposed cuts to Medicaid and food assistance (SNAP) in her home state.
According to The Hill, the initial carve-out for Alaska was rejected by Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough for violating the Byrd Rule, which restricts what can be included in a budget reconciliation bill.
Republicans, led by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), worked through the night to revise the provisions to pass muster with the parliamentarian.
They broadened the SNAP waiver to apply to 10 states with the highest benefit error rates, including Alaska, allowing for a more gradual reduction in aid.
After hours of back-and-forth negotiations, Murkowski finally signalled her support, giving the GOP the crucial 50th vote needed -- with Vice President Vance stepping in to break the tie, The Hill reported.
Despite its passage in the Senate, the bill faces headwinds in the House, where at least six GOP lawmakers have voiced opposition due to the deeper Medicaid cuts, rollbacks of clean energy incentives, and changes to the House-passed state and local tax (SALT) deduction provisions. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is also seen as a likely "no" vote, citing concerns over the bill's estimated USD 3 trillion addition to the national debt.
As per The Hill, the legislation is a legislative behemoth, including USD 160 billion for border security and immigration enforcement, USD 150 billion increase to defence spending, and a USD 5 trillion raise to the national debt ceiling.
The Bill also announced an extension and expansion of the 2017 Trump tax cuts, tax exemptions for tipped income and overtime pay, new deductions for interest on US-made auto loans, THE creation of "Trump savings accounts" for minors and a phase-out of renewable energy tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act.
As per The Hill, the Republicans touted the bill as a transformational win that aligns with their economic and national security priorities. However, within GOP ranks, there is unease about its long-term political ramifications, especially the scale of cuts to safety net programs and the soaring national debt.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
8 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Trump rules out trade talks with India amid tariff dispute
Washington, D.C. : US President Donald Trump has said there will be no trade negotiations with India until a dispute over tariffs is resolved, following his administration's decision to double tariffs on Indian imports. When pressed by ANI at the Oval Office,whether he expected talks to resume in light of the new 50% tariff. "No, not until we get it resolved," he replied. The White House on Wednesday issued an Executive Order imposing an additional 25 percentage points in tariffs on Indian goods, raising the total levy to 50%. The administration cited national security and foreign policy concerns, pointing specifically to India's ongoing imports of Russian oil. The order claims that these imports, whether direct or via intermediaries, present an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States and justify emergency economic measures. According to US officials, the initial 25% tariff came into effect on 7 August. The additional levy will take effect in 21 days and apply to all Indian goods entering US ports -- with exceptions for items already in transit and certain exempt categories. The order also provides flexibility for the president to modify the measures, depending on changing geopolitical circumstances or retaliatory actions by India or other nations. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded defiantly during a speech at the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference in New Delhi, signalling that New Delhi would not back down in the face of economic pressure. "For us, the interest of our farmers is our top priority," PM Modi said. "India will never compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers. I know we will have to pay a heavy price for it, and I am ready for it. India is ready for it." India has consistently pushed back against opening sensitive sectors such as agriculture and dairy to international competition, citing the potential impact on millions of rural livelihoods.
Times of Oman
9 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Trump indicates China could face secondary sanctions for Russian oil purchase
Washington DC: US President Donald Trump has indicated that China could face secondary sanctions or additional tariffs for buying Russian Oil. On Wednesday (local time), the US President had hit India with additional tariffs of 25% specifically tied to the purchase of Russian Oil. At a news conference in the White House, the US President was asked if similar secondary sanction would apply to China given that the Chinese are the largest buyers of Russian Crude Oil. The President replied saying, "It may happen, I don't know, I can't tell you yet, we did it with India and we are doing it probably with a couple of others, one of them could be China." According to data by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CERA) for June 2025, China has bought 47% of Russia's crude exports, followed by India (38%), the EU (6%), and Turkiye (6%). CERA is an independent research organisation registered as a nonprofit in Finland. Turkiye, is the largest buyer of oil products and has purchased 26% of Russia's oil product exports, followed by China (13%) and Brazil (12%). The EU was the largest buyer of LNG from Russia purchasing 51% of LNG exports from the country, followed by China (21%) and Japan (18%). The EU was also the largest buyer of Russia's pipeline gas, purchasing 37% of it, followed by China (30%) and Turkiye (27%).Neither China nor Turkey are facing additional US tariffs specifically tied to Russian Oil or Oil Product imports. On Wednesday, India's Ministry of External Affairs had pointed at China and Turkey while saying that targeting India with additional sanctions for Russian imports was unfair. In its statement the MEA said, "The United States has in recent days targeted India's oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India." "It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest. We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests," the MEA added. Neither China nor Turkey are facing additional US tariffs specifically tied to Russian Oil or Oil Product imports. Meanwhile, White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro justified the secondary tariff imposed on India citing national security grounds. Addressing a news conference Navarro said, "This was a pure national security issue associated with India's abject refusal to stop buying Russian oil." With the US pushing the purchase of Russian Oil as a national security issue, there could soon be additional tariffs for countries like China, unless a peace deal is worked out with Russia.
Observer
18 hours ago
- Observer
Trump's higher tariffs hit major US trading partners, sparking defiance and concern
US trade partners such as Switzerland, Brazil, and India were scrambling on Thursday to negotiate better terms as President Donald Trump's higher tariffs on imports from dozens of countries took effect, pushing the average US import duty to its highest level in a century. US Customs and Border Protection began collecting the increased tariffs—ranging from 10% to 50%—at 12:01 a.m. EDT, following weeks of uncertainty and last-minute negotiations. The new rates are part of Trump's broader effort to reduce trade deficits without triggering inflation or severe supply chain disruptions. The leaders of Brazil and India adopted defiant tones even as their governments sought relief. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he would not 'humiliate' himself by calling Trump, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi insisted he would not compromise the interests of India's farmers. Since April, Trump has issued several revisions to his 'Liberation Day' tariff plan, which now includes 50% tariffs on goods from Brazil, 39% from Switzerland, 35% from Canada, and 25% from India. A separate 25% duty on Indian goods will take effect in 21 days over New Delhi's purchases of Russian oil. Eight major trade partners—including the European Union, Japan, and South Korea—have secured framework deals lowering their base tariff rate to 15%. Britain negotiated a 10% rate. Trump warned that goods routed through third countries to avoid tariffs would face an additional 40% duty, though enforcement details remain vague. Toyota said Thursday it expects a $10 billion blow from tariffs on cars imported into the US.— Reuters
