As the Senate inches closer to finalising President Donald Trump’s sweeping legislative package, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” tensions ran high on Tuesday with the president warning of the “largest tax increase in history” if the bill fails to pass. Posting early Tuesday on Truth Social, Trump doubled down on pressuring Republicans to unify behind the measure, which includes massive tax cuts, military and border security boosts, and sweeping cuts to social programs.
“The One Big Beautiful Bill, perhaps the greatest and most important of its kind in history, gives the largest Tax Cuts and Border Security ever… Failure to pass means a whopping 68% Tax increase, the largest in history!!!” Trump posted.
All-Night ‘Vote-a-Rama’ grinds on
Lawmakers have been locked in a marathon voting session “vote-a-rama” as both Republicans and Democrats flood the bill with amendments. Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged the process could continue well into the night as GOP leaders scramble to rally the necessary votes. The party can only afford to lose three Republican senators. As of Tuesday, two, Sen. Thom Tillis (North Carolina) and Sen. Rand Paul (Kentucky) have already announced their opposition. Tillis, facing backlash from Trump over past criticisms, said he won’t seek reelection.
Amid the budget battle, former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) chief Elon Musk slammed the GOP, calling them the “PORKY PIG PARTY!!” over what he claimed was a hidden $5 trillion increase to the national debt limit.
Trump fired back on social media, accusing Musk of hypocrisy and suggesting DOGE should investigate his businesses. “Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history… Without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back to South Africa,” Trump posted, while reiterating his opposition to electric vehicle mandates. With time ticking, GOP leaders are engaged in intense negotiations to pass the bill, which would mark a defining moment in Trump’s domestic agenda if successful. However, opposition from Democrats and dissent within Republican ranks make its fate far from certain.