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Senate Resistance Grows Over Trump’s $14B “Megabill” Amid Medicaid and Debt Concerns

Washington, D.C. – A sweeping legislative package, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” by President Donald Trump,Megabill is facing mounting resistance in the U.S. Senate as lawmakers grapple with its hefty $14 billion price tag and significant cuts to Medicaid. The bill, which narrowly passed the House of Representatives with a 215-214 vote on May 22, 2025, aims to deliver on Trump’s campaign promises, including tax cuts, increased military and border security spending, and reforms to social safety net programs. However, concerns over its impact on the national debt and healthcare access for millions of Americans are creating a contentious battle in the Senate.

What’s in the Megabill?

The “megabill” is a comprehensive piece of legislation, spanning over 1,000 pages, that seeks to reshape the U.S. economy and federal programs. At its core, the bill extends Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, which are set to expire at the end of 2025, at an estimated cost of over $2 trillion over the next decade. It also introduces new tax breaks, such as eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, creating a $1,000 “Trump account” for newborns, and offering a new tax deduction for seniors. To offset these costs, the bill proposes significant cuts to safety net programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), alongside the elimination of green energy tax credits enacted during the Biden administration.

The bill also includes a $4 trillion increase in the national debt ceiling, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from fiscal conservatives. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the legislation could add $3.1 to $3.8 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, pushing the already staggering $36.2 trillion debt even higher. Additionally, the bill boosts funding for defense and border security, including $140 billion for mass deportations and immigration enforcement, a priority for Trump’s administration.

One of the most controversial elements is the overhaul of Medicaid, the federal-state healthcare program that serves low-income, elderly, and disabled Americans. The bill introduces work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, set to begin in December 2026, requiring them to work 80 hours per month to maintain benefits. It also shifts enrollment periods to every six months and adds stricter income and residency verifications to combat what Republicans describe as “waste, fraud, and abuse.” The CBO projects that these changes could result in 7 to 14 million Americans losing Medicaid coverage by 2034, a figure that has sparked alarm among both Democrats and some Republicans.

Senate Resistance Takes Shape

While the House managed to pass the megabill after intense negotiations and last-minute concessions to hardline conservatives, the Senate presents a new challenge. Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader John Thune, have signaled their intent to modify the bill significantly before it reaches the president’s desk. With a slim 53-47 majority, Republicans can afford to lose only three votes (with Vice President JD Vance as the tiebreaker), making the bill’s passage a delicate balancing act.

Several Senate Republicans have voiced concerns over the bill’s fiscal and social implications. Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, a prominent fiscal hawk, has been vocal about his opposition, arguing that the bill’s $3.8 trillion addition to the deficit is unacceptable. “The first goal of our budget reconciliation process should be to reduce the deficit. This actually increases,” Johnson told CNN, urging deeper spending cuts to align with pre-pandemic levels. He has been joined by Senators Mike Lee of Utah, Rick Scott of Florida, and Rand Paul of Kentucky, who have also expressed skepticism about the bill’s debt ceiling increase and overall cost.

On the other side, moderate Republicans like Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine are wary of the Medicaid cuts. Murkowski has called the work requirements “very, very challenging, if not impossible” to implement, while Collins has emphasized that she does not want to see Medicaid benefits stripped from vulnerable populations. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, a conservative who has campaigned against Medicaid reductions, has also pushed for a more robust child tax credit than the $2,500 included in the House version, further complicating negotiations.

The Senate’s fiscal hawks and moderates are not the only ones raising red flags. Democrats, led by figures like Senator Patty Murray, have slammed the bill as a giveaway to the wealthy at the expense of low-income Americans. “House Republicans don’t want you to know they just passed a bill that makes health care more expensive and kicks millions off Medicaid, all to pass tax cuts for billionaires & giant corporations,” Murray wrote on social media, vowing to fight the bill in the Senate.

Economic and Social Implications

The megabill’s passage in the House has already sent ripples through financial markets. Bond yields rose after the vote, reflecting investor concerns about the bill’s impact on the national debt. A recent downgrade of U.S. creditworthiness by Moody’s, coupled with rising Treasury rates and a weakening dollar, has heightened fears about the country’s fiscal health. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned that the U.S. could hit the debt ceiling by August 2025, urging lawmakers to finalize the package before the summer recess.

The proposed Medicaid changes have drawn particular scrutiny. The CBO’s estimate that up to 14 million people could lose coverage has raised concerns about access to healthcare, especially in red states where many of Trump’s voters rely on the program. Critics argue that the work requirements and stricter verifications could disproportionately harm low-income individuals, the elderly, and those with disabilities. Democrats have called these changes “cruel,” pointing out that the bill’s tax cuts primarily benefit high earners while reducing resources for the poorest Americans.

SNAP, which serves over 40 million Americans, faces $230 billion in cuts, including new work requirements for adults aged 55 to 64 and increased state cost-sharing. These changes could shift significant costs to states, particularly those with high error rates in benefit administration, such as Alaska, South Carolina, and Tennessee. This has sparked resistance from senators representing these states, who fear the political and economic fallout.

The Road Ahead

The Senate’s modifications could create tension with the House, where hardline members of the Freedom Caucus have warned against watering down the $1.5 trillion in spending cuts. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who faced significant challenges in securing the bill’s passage, has emphasized the need for swift Senate action to meet Trump’s timeline. “There is no time to waste,” Trump said in a social media post, urging senators to send the bill to his desk as soon as possible.

However, the Senate’s budget reconciliation process, which allows the bill to bypass a filibuster, adds complexity. Non-budget-related provisions, such as the spectrum auction plan championed by Trump, could be stripped by the Senate parliamentarian, requiring further negotiations. If the Senate passes a revised version, the two chambers will need to reconcile their differences, a process that could test the GOP’s unity.

Public and Political Reactions

Public sentiment, as reflected on platforms like X, highlights the divisive nature of the megabill. Posts have echoed concerns about the Medicaid cuts and debt increase, with some users citing estimates of 14 million people losing coverage and trillions added to the deficit. Democrats are seizing on these concerns to frame the bill as a betrayal of working-class Americans, while Republicans argue that it delivers on Trump’s promises of economic growth and government efficiency.

As the Senate debates the megabill, the stakes are high for both parties. For Republicans, it’s a chance to cement Trump’s agenda but risks alienating moderates and fiscal conservatives. For Democrats, it’s an opportunity to rally opposition and highlight the bill’s impact on vulnerable populations. With the debt ceiling deadline looming and economic pressures mounting, the coming weeks will be critical in determining the fate of this ambitious and controversial legislation.