A Senate vote-a-rama on the “big, beautiful bill” is anticipated for this weekend, with the House preparing to align with the Senate’s legislative efforts next week. The bill, which is a cornerstone of President Trump’s agenda, faces potential delays due to ongoing negotiations over SALT deductions and spending cuts.
The Senate’s procedural vote on the bill is set to span 20 hours of debate, which is split between Democratic and Republican members. Democrats are expected to use all 10 of their allocated hours, while Republicans will utilize a smaller portion. This lengthy debate is anticipated to commence late Friday and potentially extend into Saturday, with the possibility of final passage occurring late Saturday or early Sunday.
The House is expected to respond by aligning with the Senate’s proposals, but the process could be delayed due to the absence of the 72-hour rule, which allows the House to review the bill before voting. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., may face political pressure to allow more time for deliberation, potentially pushing the House’s legislative action to Tuesday or Wednesday.
The primary obstacles to reaching a consensus include the complexities of SALT deductions and spending cuts. The Senate may attempt to increase the deduction to $40,000 for optics, although members of the SALT caucus, particularly from high-tax states like New York and California, have indicated this may not be acceptable. The current Senate bill offers a $10,000 deduction, which has been deemed inadequate for these states.
Despite these challenges, the legislative process is still in motion, with the Senate and House working towards a resolution of the ongoing negotiations. The outcome of these discussions will have significant implications for the legislative agenda and the broader political landscape.