President Donald Trump and Republican leaders are rushing to pass a major tax bill before July 4, despite concerns about its impact on healthcare coverage. The bill, which Trump calls “big” and “beautiful,” has faced criticism for its potential effects on millions of Americans’ health insurance.
According to MSNBC, the proposed legislation would mainly benefit wealthy Americans through tax cuts while putting nearly 12 million people at risk of losing their health insurance. Republican senators worked through the weekend to move the bill forward, although they were still finalizing the actual text by Sunday evening.
During a Thursday statement, Trump claimed, “Your Medicaid is left alone. It’s left the same.” However, this statement contradicts the bill’s actual contents, which would result in millions of Americans losing their Medicaid coverage.
Senate faces challenges as deadline approaches
The rush to meet Trump’s self-imposed July 4 deadline has created problems for Republican leaders. Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled that dozens of provisions did not meet the chamber’s rules to bypass the filibuster, forcing Republicans to lose hundreds of billions of dollars in planned cuts.
Senators are divided on the bill’s details. Some moderate Republicans like Thom Tillis and Susan Collins have expressed concerns about deep Medicaid cuts, reflecting a broader pattern of Republican lawmakers questioning Trump’s policies. On the other hand, senators Rand Paul and Ron Johnson want more spending cuts. The disagreements extend to issues like the cap on deducting state and local taxes.
Trump appears to have limited knowledge of the bill’s contents. According to Senator Josh Hawley, Trump was surprised to learn about the Senate bill’s provision to limit a tax on healthcare providers that states use to fund Medicaid. The president also incorrectly claimed twice that the bill would eliminate taxes on Social Security.
The megabill has become the only major legislation of Trump’s first year, making it crucial for Republicans to pass it despite its unpopularity, particularly given Trump’s already struggling approval ratings and Americans’ dissatisfaction with his handling of cost-of-living issues. Similar to eight years ago, when Republicans faced backlash for an unpopular tax cut bill, this legislation becomes less popular as voters learn more about its provisions. However, Republican leaders continue to push forward, prioritizing the president’s wishes over other considerations.
Published: Jun 30, 2025 12:08 pm