The Senate is set to take its first vote on the megabill on Saturday afternoon, as Republican leadership outlines a tentative schedule for the contentious legislation. After a closed-door lunch meeting, Senate leaders John Kennedy and John Hoeven confirmed the noon vote time, though the exact schedule remains fluid. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has not yet secured the 50 votes needed, as several senators remain wary of the bill’s Medicaid and deficit provisions. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who attended the meeting, pitched the SALT deal as the best possible compromise, with Johnson hinting at a close agreement. However, New York Republican Nick LaLota voiced skepticism, suggesting the deal might not align with his views. Meanwhile, Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski is concerned about the SNAP cost-share provision’s impact on her state, with the bill poised to shift billions in food aid costs to states like Alaska, which face high payment error rates.