House passes Trump’s big bill: Senate faces crucial negotiations ahead of July 4 deadline
Shreeaa Rathi | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | May 28, 2025, 21:25 IST
( Image credit : AP, TOIGLOBAL )
In a significant move, Mike Johnson has navigated Donald Trump's bill through the House, but the journey isn't over yet. With potential revisions looming in the Senate ahead of the July 4 deadline, the political landscape is heating up.
Speaker Mike Johnson managed to pass President Donald Trump’s "big, beautiful bill" in the House, but the bill now faces potential changes in the Senate, setting the stage for dealmaking before a July 4 deadline; Democrats aim to define the legislation and Trump's party before the midterms, focusing on potential drawbacks like cuts to safety net programs and changes to green energy tax credits, while Republicans emphasize tax cuts, increased defense funding, and border control resources; Democrats are urged to refine their message and target GOP vulnerabilities, such as the FAA's issues, advocating for a "no-bullshit" approach as suggested by Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin.
The megabill passed in the House now moves to the Senate. Some Republicans are already speaking out about the changes they want made. This means we are likely going to see a lot of haggling and dealmaking over the next couple of months ahead of a self-imposed July 4 deadline.
Despite GOP dissent, Democrats may not ultimately be able to stop the bill’s final passage. They do now have a small window of opportunity to define the legislation, and Trump’s party, ahead of next year’s midterms.
Democrats have struggled to land on a clear message of opposition. Trump’s approval ratings are low, and the Democrats are also polling at depressing lows.
The bill includes messaging opportunities for Republicans. They will highlight the proposed tax cuts, increased funding for national defense and a surge of resources for deportation and border-control projects.
Moderate Republicans from blue states must be especially pleased that the SALT (state and local tax) deduction has been increased from $10,000 to $40,000 for those making less than $500,000. The SALT tax deduction is most meaningful in areas with high local taxes, including New York and New Jersey.
The current bill also gives Trump a chance to deliver on his no-tax-on-tips campaign promise. Many families could benefit from an increased child tax credit of $2,500.
Democrats are sure to hit back by spotlighting the bill’s nearly $1 trillion in cuts affecting the nation’s largest safety net programs, including Medicaid and food stamps. The bill also ends many green energy tax credits, and will repeal several other climate change-related aspects of the Inflation Reduction Act, including a $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles.
Democrats are urged to refine their message to the American public. In politics, one of the first things you want to do is define your opponent before they define you.
Without a so-called “head of the party,” this task is tougher, but it will also allow for the best ideas to rise to the top.
Democrats should hammer the GOP on easy targets.
While Republicans are fighting among themselves in D.C. this summer, Americans will be taking to the not-so-friendly skies.
Democrats should focus on what’s happening now with the Federal Aviation Administration. This Trump administration is treating people and our air travel safety like a formula on a spreadsheet.
With recent polls showing American confidence in air safety is dipping, air safety is a simple and easy talking point.
Michigan’s freshman senator, Elissa Slotkin, has nailed it when talking about her “war plan.”
"The former CIA analyst says the way to change her party’s “weak and woke” is to go with a “no-bullshit” approach."
That’s exactly the energy Democrats need to harness as the humidity descends on the Hill.
The megabill passed in the House now moves to the Senate. Some Republicans are already speaking out about the changes they want made. This means we are likely going to see a lot of haggling and dealmaking over the next couple of months ahead of a self-imposed July 4 deadline.
Despite GOP dissent, Democrats may not ultimately be able to stop the bill’s final passage. They do now have a small window of opportunity to define the legislation, and Trump’s party, ahead of next year’s midterms.
Democrats have struggled to land on a clear message of opposition. Trump’s approval ratings are low, and the Democrats are also polling at depressing lows.
The bill includes messaging opportunities for Republicans. They will highlight the proposed tax cuts, increased funding for national defense and a surge of resources for deportation and border-control projects.
Moderate Republicans from blue states must be especially pleased that the SALT (state and local tax) deduction has been increased from $10,000 to $40,000 for those making less than $500,000. The SALT tax deduction is most meaningful in areas with high local taxes, including New York and New Jersey.
The current bill also gives Trump a chance to deliver on his no-tax-on-tips campaign promise. Many families could benefit from an increased child tax credit of $2,500.
Democrats are sure to hit back by spotlighting the bill’s nearly $1 trillion in cuts affecting the nation’s largest safety net programs, including Medicaid and food stamps. The bill also ends many green energy tax credits, and will repeal several other climate change-related aspects of the Inflation Reduction Act, including a $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles.
Democrats are urged to refine their message to the American public. In politics, one of the first things you want to do is define your opponent before they define you.
Without a so-called “head of the party,” this task is tougher, but it will also allow for the best ideas to rise to the top.
Democrats should hammer the GOP on easy targets.
While Republicans are fighting among themselves in D.C. this summer, Americans will be taking to the not-so-friendly skies.
Democrats should focus on what’s happening now with the Federal Aviation Administration. This Trump administration is treating people and our air travel safety like a formula on a spreadsheet.
With recent polls showing American confidence in air safety is dipping, air safety is a simple and easy talking point.
Michigan’s freshman senator, Elissa Slotkin, has nailed it when talking about her “war plan.”
"The former CIA analyst says the way to change her party’s “weak and woke” is to go with a “no-bullshit” approach."
That’s exactly the energy Democrats need to harness as the humidity descends on the Hill.