The U.S. Senate narrowly passed President Donald Trump’s signature tax and spending package, dubbed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA; OBBB), or the Big Beautiful Bill (BBB), after a dramatic 51-50 vote that exposed deep fractures within the Republican Party. The bill, central to Trump’s second-term economic agenda, advanced only after Vice President JD Vance cast a tie-breaking vote, highlighting the razor-thin support for the controversial legislation.
Who voted for the big beautiful bill?
The bill ultimately passed with the support of all but three Senate Republicans. GOP leaders had spent weeks rallying votes behind Trump’s sweeping package, which promises permanent tax cuts, expanded border security, Medicaid restrictions, and a “no tax on tips” provision aimed at service industry workers.
Democrats and independents who caucus with them unanimously opposed the measure, citing drastic Medicaid cuts, increased deficits, and what they described as tax breaks favoring the wealthy.
Which Republicans voted against the big beautiful bill?
Three Republican senators broke ranks and voted “no”:
- Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine)
- Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.)
- Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.)
Each of them cited specific policy concerns and political principles behind their opposition, setting the stage for fierce intra-party backlash and potential electoral consequences.
Why did Senator Susan Collins oppose Trump’s big beautiful bill?
Senator Susan Collins, a five-term moderate from Maine, had been a key vote to watch in the days leading up to the Senate vote on the big beautiful bill. Her primary concern centered on Medicaid cuts, which she argued would devastate her state’s healthcare system.
“Roughly 400,000 Mainers — nearly a third of our state’s population — rely on Medicaid,” Collins stated after casting her no vote. “A projected $5.9 billion reduction in Medicaid funding over the next decade would threaten access to healthcare and the viability of rural hospitals across Maine.”
Despite the bill’s last-minute inclusion of a $50 billion rural hospital stabilization fund, Collins maintained that it fell short of offsetting the long-term damage the bill would inflict on her constituents.
Collins’ decision has sparked speculation about her political future. While she has successfully fended off challengers in Maine’s blue-leaning electorate, recent polls show her favorability lagging behind potential 2026 opponents, including Democratic Governor Janet Mills.
What is Trump’s big beautiful bill and what’s in it?
At nearly 900 pages long, the “big beautiful bill” represents a cornerstone of Trump’s economic vision. Key provisions include:
- Permanent extension of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts
- $46.5 billion for border wall construction and related expenses
- Expanded detention capacity for immigrants and increased ICE funding
- A $5 trillion debt ceiling increase
- Restrictions and work requirements for Medicaid recipients
- Changes to SNAP (food stamps) eligibility and state funding responsibilities
- A “no tax on tips” deduction for service industry workers, capped at $25,000
- An increased standard deduction and expanded state and local tax (SALT) deduction
The legislation also aligns with Trump’s campaign promise of “no tax on overtime,” although the provisions are temporary and expire in 2028.
Critics point to the Congressional Budget Office’s projection that the bill will add $3.3 trillion to federal deficits over the next decade while leaving millions without health insurance—a claim the White House disputes.
Senate passes big beautiful bill — what’s next?
The House passed a different version of the big beautiful bill last month. Now, the lower chamber must either approve the Senate’s version or negotiate changes, which would require further Senate approval.
If the bill clears both chambers without amendments, Trump could sign it into law later this week, fulfilling a major campaign promise.
The political fallout: What’s next for the GOP?
The narrow passage of Trump’s big beautiful bill lays bare the rifts within the Republican Party. With the 2026 midterm elections looming, the defections by Collins, Paul, and Tillis are already shaping primary dynamics and fundraising efforts.
Trump remains defiant, touting the bill as a victory for working families, border security, and American taxpayers. But the deep divisions exposed by the Senate vote ensure the debate over the bill—and Trump’s grip on the GOP—will continue to dominate headlines in the months ahead.
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