Senate plunges into do-or-die moment on "big, beautiful bill"
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is about to make GOP holdouts decide if they're really willing to torpedo President Trump's signature legislative agenda ahead of his July 4 deadline.
Why it matters: Each hard-fought deal at this point risks blowing up another. But leaders are getting ready to force holdouts' hands and get this thing done.
The Senate wants to start voting on the " big, beautiful bill" at noon Saturday, said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.). It had hoped to vote on Friday.
"We'll find out tomorrow," Thune told reporters when asked if he has the votes to start the debate on the bill.
Complicating the whip count: As of Friday evening, the Senate parliamentarian was still making rulings.
"It's clear we're not going to have unanimity on some of this," Kennedy said.
"That's why God made votes."
Zoom in: The Senate also has yet to agree on a tentative deal with the House GOP's SALT crew, which was presented to them at lunch on Friday. There were some skeptics, notably Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), per two attendees.
There are lingering concerns about Medicaid. Senators leaving lunch told reporters that they plan to delay lowering the provider taxes.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) told us he did not see any substantial changes to Medicaid that would alter his analysis of the impact on his state. Asked about a vote tomorrow, he said, "It doesn't matter to me, if the baseline doesn't change, I'm a no."
What to watch: There also is a growing possibility of floor fights — with senators seeking to strike unpopular parts of the bill via amendments.
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