Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer made a dramatic move in the final hours of a contentious legislative session by forcing a name change for President Donald Trump’s $3.3 trillion spending package. The title ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ which had been part of the original bill text, was removed following a point of order raised by Schumer. The move was based on a legal objection under the Byrd Rule, which prohibits certain policy provisions from being included in budget reconciliation bills. Schumer argued that the title of the bill violated Section 313 B1A of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, commonly referred to as the ‘Byrd Rule.’
While Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., was chairing the Senate, Schumer raised a point of order against lines three to five on the first page of the legislative proposal that said, ‘SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ‘’One Big Beautiful Bill Act.’’’ Schumer’s objection was sustained, leading to the removal of the controversial title from the bill. In a press briefing, Schumer stated, ‘This is not a ‘big, beautiful bill’ at all. That’s why I moved down the floor to strike the title. It is now called ‘the act.’ That’s what it’s called. But it is really the ‘big ugly betrayal,’ and the American people know it.’ He warned that the legislation would ‘haunt our Republican colleagues for years to come,’ citing its negative impacts on healthcare, jobs, and the economy.
The Senate narrowly passed the Trump’s $3.3 trillion spending package by a 51-50 vote on Tuesday after an all-night voting session. Vice President JD Vance was the tiebreaking vote, with no Senate Democrats crossing the aisle to support the legislation. Several Republican senators, including Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Susan Collins of Maine, opposed the measure. Democrats condemned the bill’s passage, with Schumer’s fellow New Yorker, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, calling it a betrayal of working families. Ocasio-Cortez, known for her progressive policies, took to X to express her strong opposition to the bill, stating, ‘JD Vance was the deciding vote to cut Medicaid across the country. An absolute and utter betrayal of working families.’
Despite opposition, the bill was passed, and now it heads back to the House for final approval. Republicans are pushing for the legislation to be finalized before the July 4 deadline, with both chambers needing to reconcile differences on key issues, primarily Medicaid. The proposed legislation includes significant tax cuts, including no tax on tips and overtime, and increased funding for border security. However, the bill is expected to add $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, according to a nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office assessment. Republican leaders, including Vice President JD Vance, have defended the bill, highlighting its economic benefits and the need for immediate legislative action. Meanwhile, opponents argue that the bill’s passage will have far-reaching negative consequences for the American people, particularly in terms of healthcare access and job security.