President Donald Trump played a round of golf with Republican leaders on Saturday, including Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC., Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. This event comes as Senate Republicans work to pass the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ by July 4, a self-imposed deadline that has heightened the urgency of the legislative process.
The White House has endorsed the latest revisions to the bill, which includes overhauling the U.S. tax code, and has emphasized the need for its passage as a critical step toward economic stability. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent highlighted the importance of the bill’s timely approval, stating that it would provide businesses with much-needed tax certainty amid ongoing trade tensions and uncertainty.
Graham, who shared the golf outing on social media, expressed optimism about the bill’s prospects, noting that the bipartisan effort to refine the legislation had progressed significantly. He also shared the stitched-together text of the massive bill, which has faced resistance from within the Senate and House GOP factions. The bill’s inclusion of proposals to adjust SALT deductions has been a point of contention, with some lawmakers arguing it could burden states and local governments.
Despite these challenges, the administration remains resolute in its push for the bill’s approval, framing it as a necessary measure to stimulate economic growth and provide a predictable fiscal environment for businesses. The timeline for the vote, which coincides with the Fourth of July holiday, has intensified the pressure on Republican leaders to reach a consensus and present a unified front on the matter.