Trump, 3 GOP senators play golf ahead of Saturday's push for megabill vote
As Senate wrestled with whether to begin debate on President Donald Trump's megabill, a few key Republican allies spent part of the afternoon golfing with the president at his nearby club in Northern Virginia.
Trump, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and GOP Sens. Eric Schmitt of Missouri, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina played golf a few hours before the Senate voted to debate the so-called 'Big Beautiful Bill.'
Live updates: It's go time for Senate on Trump's megabill. Do they have the votes?
Graham posted a photo of himself and Trump on social media as gave the camera a thumbs up. Graham said in a post that he partnered with Trump and Paul to beat Schmitt and Ratcliffe.
"Proud to announce no casualties," Graham wrote. "A lot of fun! Big Beautiful Bill on the way."
Schmitt posted a similar photo of himself and the president, writing "Big week for President Trump and he crushed it on the golf course this morning as well."
Looking forward to beginning the One Big Beautiful Bill soon. Started the day with @POTUS and thanked him for his leadership. Let's Go! pic.twitter.com/P4vuWg1HEY
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) June 28, 2025
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters around 2 p.m. that the president was wrapping up lunch and would soon depart the course, located about 25 miles from the White House.
Senate Republican leaders launched the debate June 28 that is expected to culminate with a vote June 29 or 30 on the 990-page bill.
While Democrats are all expected to vote no on the massive legislative package, the open question going into the debate is whether enough Republicans will end up supporting the Senate's version, which would send it back to the House.
Trump has asked Congress to send him the completed bill to sign by July 4.
The megabill is stuffed with tax cuts, Medicaid reforms and border security funding, containing several signature campaign promises from Trump and the Republican party.
Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @KathrynPlmr.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump plays golf ahead Saturday's push for Senate megabill vote
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