Senate Republicans vote to advance a massive budget blueprint for Trump's agenda
The Republican-led Senate voted 52-48 on Thursday to begin debate on a budget blueprint for a multitrillion-dollar package to pass President Donald Trump’s agenda.
WASHINGTON — The Republican-led Senate voted 52-48 on Thursday to begin debate on a budget blueprint for a multitrillion-dollar package to pass President Donald Trump’s agenda.
The measure calls for a steep tax cut and a spending increase for immigration enforcement and a Pentagon expansion, alongside unspecified spending cuts and a $5 trillion debt limit increase. It is likely to substantially increase the budget deficit.
Every Republican voted for the measure, except Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky. Democrats unanimously voted against it.
“The Senate Budget plan gives us the tools that we need to get our shared priorities done, including certain PERMANENT Tax Cuts, Spending Cuts Energy, Historic Investments in Defense, Border, and much more,” Trump wrote on social media on Wednesday.
The Thursday vote has triggered up to 50 hours of debate, followed by an unlimited amendment process before a vote on adopting the budget blueprint that’s expected this weekend. Democrats intend to offer amendments to put Republicans in a political bind, such as barring tax cuts for wealthy earners and forbidding Medicaid cuts.
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