Senate Amendments to Trump’s Megabill: What Passed and What Failed
In a dramatic Senate session, many amendments aimed at Trump’s megabill fell short, revealing a deep divide among lawmakers. The fate of this major bill remains in the balance as key provisions were rejected.
Senators Battle to Get Amendments Passed
Many senators faced a tough reality in the Senate’s recent vote-a-rama on Trump’s ambitious megabill, which has been dubbed his “big, beautiful bill.” Unfortunately, several amendments from senators went down in flames, leaving the future of the bill shrouded in uncertainty. Among the failed proposals were vital efforts that aimed to address funding for rural hospitals and Medicaid cuts, highlighting the stark divisiveness over the bill’s content among lawmakers.
Collins Seeks to Aid Rural Hospitals
The first major setback came from Senator Susan Collins representing Maine, who introduced an amendment that would have given a significant boost to rural hospital funding. Specifically, it aimed to double financial support from $25 billion to $50 billion over the next decade. Expanding access to these vital funds was her hope, especially as many rural providers face possible closure amid severe financial strain. Collins had hoped her proposal would alleviate some pressure and serve as a bridge to Democratic support, who have often opposed the Medicaid cuts embedded within the bill.
Cornyn and Colleagues Push Medicaid Cuts
Senator John Cornyn from Texas also threw his hat in the ring with his own amendment aimed squarely at cutting Medicaid. He teamed up with Senators Rick Scott and John Barrasso, seeking to trim an additional $313 billion from the already staggering Medicaid allocations. Their position was clear – they believed it was necessary to curb Medicaid growth. However, that sentiment wasn’t shared by many colleagues, who felt that the suggested cuts were too extreme, especially given the bill’s existing cuts totaling around $930 billion.
Teachers Left Behind in Budget Talks
Another effort which failed to rally support came from Senator John Kennedy, who proposed a resolution that would permit teachers to deduct $600 in school supplies that they buy out of their own pockets. This seemingly reasonable amendment, given that many educators often dig deep into their personal finances for the classroom, went down 46-54. Members echoed sentiments that while they wanted to help teachers, the amendment simply didn’t find favour on that day.
Child Tax Credit Amendment Defeated
Lastly, let’s touch on Senator Michael Bennet’s proposal to enhance and expand the child tax credit in the bill. Unfortunately, this amendment failed spectacularly, buried under a mountains of dissent with a grievous 22-78 vote against it. Bennet’s attempt to provide more monetary relief for families simply did not resonate among enough Senate members, portraying a larger picture of cutbacks over additional funding in the current political climate.
A Rare Success for State AI Regulations
On a more positive note, however, an amendment did manage to pass – a significant win for those concerned with state regulations on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Senate overwhelming approved an amendment that scrapped a problematic provision in the bill that aimed to impose a decade-long freeze on state-level AI regulations. Sponsored by Senators Edward Markey, Marsha Blackburn, and Maria Cantwell, the amendment received near-unanimous support, sailing through with a favourable 99-1 vote. This suggests a broader recognition of the importance of state consumer protections when it comes to emerging technologies.
In summary, the Senate’s recent vote-a-rama showcased the turbulent waters lawmakers are navigating as they tackle Donald Trump’s megabill. While several key amendments aimed at funding rural hospitals, cutting Medicaid, and enhancing the child tax credit failed to pass, there was a surprising win with the amendment addressing AI regulations. The landscape remains uncertain for Trump’s ambitious proposals, with both sides of the aisle clearly divided on crucial issues.
