The US Senate has passed the controversial Big Beautiful Bill in a nail-biting final vote, delivering a major legislative victory for former president Donald Trump and exposing deep fault lines in the Republican Party’s future direction.
The bill, which has been at the centre of months of political wrangling, cleared the Senate chamber just before midnight with a vote of 52 to 48. Two moderate Democrats crossed party lines to support the legislation, while three Republican senators broke ranks and voted against it, citing concerns over fiscal discipline and constitutional overreach.
Packed with sweeping reforms and funding pledges, the Big Beautiful Bill touches on immigration enforcement, infrastructure modernisation, and aggressive tax restructuring. Its passage marks a significant turning point in Trump-era policymaking, cementing many of the former president’s populist pledges into law.
The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives, where it is expected to pass with a narrow majority before being signed into law at a high-profile White House ceremony later this week. Trump allies are already preparing a media blitz to herald the bill as a triumph of “common-sense conservatism,” while critics warn it could inflame social divisions and burden future administrations with long-term spending commitments.
Tempers flared in the final hours of debate as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused Republicans of “ramming through ideological policy under the guise of patriotism.” Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell hailed the outcome as “a course correction for America” and praised the bill’s backers for standing firm under intense pressure.
Among the bill’s most contentious provisions are a dramatic overhaul of border security, including expanded use of federal surveillance and accelerated deportation procedures. It also promises a $1.5 trillion infrastructure programme funded by a mix of private partnerships and redirected social spending. The tax code revisions will lower corporate rates but eliminate several long-standing deductions, sparking concern from small business associations.
In a dramatic twist, Vice President JD Vance was prepared to cast the tie-breaking vote, but it was ultimately unnecessary after late shifts among key senators. Capitol Hill insiders described a tense atmosphere, with last-minute amendments introduced and withdrawn as party whips scrambled to secure votes.
Outside the Capitol, demonstrations for and against the bill continued throughout the day, underscoring the polarising effect of the legislation. Civil liberties groups have vowed to challenge several provisions in court, while economists remain divided over the bill’s long-term impact on the federal deficit and income inequality.
For Trump and his supporters, however, the vote represents vindication. Campaign banners reading “Promises Made, Promises Kept” were seen waving outside the chamber, and Trump himself issued a late-night post on Truth Social declaring: “America is BACK – stronger, safer, and more beautiful than ever!”
REFH – newshub finance
