Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' advances, but still faces Republican dissent

Senate leadership twisted arms for an initial vote on the spending plan, which still needs final approval.

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The Senate moved 51-49 to open debate on the bill. Two Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the move.

Republican party leadership had been twisting arms for the initial vote on what Trump calls his "Big Beautiful Bill" on Saturday, after the release of its latest version - all 940 pages - shortly after midnight.

Republicans were divided over how much to cut welfare programmes in order to extend $3.8tn (£2.8tn) in Trump tax breaks. The proposed cuts would strip millions of America's poorest of health insurance.

Trump declared the progress a "great victory" in a late-night social media post.