The US Senate was set to pass a Republican-backed budget plan early Friday, marking the latest stage in a drawn-out battle over President Donald Trump’s fiscal agenda, amid a marathon of procedural votes that went into the night, as reported by The New York Times.
The vote-a-rama ritual
The hours-long "vote-a-rama" session saw senators from both parties offering a flurry of amendments, some of which were aimed at highlighting the partisan divide over Trump’s budget. While the Republican majority pushed for a budget resolution to support the president’s fiscal priorities, Democrats used the opportunity to challenge the proposed cuts and create a political record for future elections.
Democrats' strategy to slow the vote
Democrats, unable to block the budget resolution due to Republican control, sought to slow the process and force Republicans into uncomfortable votes. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led the charge, accusing Republicans of prioritizing tax cuts for billionaires while slashing vital programs for everyday Americans.
One of the first proposals, which failed along party lines, aimed to bar tax cuts for those making over $1 billion a year. Schumer emphasized the debate over whether Republicans were willing to reward billionaires with additional tax breaks.
GOP responses and amendment votes
Despite the political theatre, Republicans remained focused on passing the budget, with some offering procedural support and rallying behind the president's agenda. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) declared the GOP’s commitment to supporting Trump’s priorities, noting that even if the votes continued until 5 a.m., the plan would go forward.
Several amendments from Democrats aimed at protecting key programs, like Medicaid and food pricing, but they too were mostly voted down. However, a few Republican senators, including Susan Collins (R-ME) and Josh Hawley (R-MO), broke with party lines on select issues, supporting Democratic measures on tax cuts and Medicaid funding.
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