The US Senate has narrowly approved a sweeping tax and spending cuts package championed by President Donald Trump, after days of intense behind-the-scenes negotiations within the Republican Party.
The multi-trillion-dollar bill, which includes deep cuts to social welfare programmes and major tax breaks, passed late on Tuesday following more than 24 hours of continuous debate and amendment votes.
Vice-President JD Vance, presiding over the Senate, was called in to cast tie-breaking votes on key parts of the legislation as GOP leaders scrambled to hold their fragile coalition together.
A major breakthrough came after Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski — a key Republican holdout — signalled support following the inclusion of provisions tailored to benefit her state.
“It’s in the hands of the people that operate the copy machine,” she quipped, suggesting a final version was ready to be printed.
The Senate bill differs from a version earlier passed by the House of Representatives, meaning the lower chamber must now approve the revised text. A vote is expected on Wednesday, despite the House currently being in recess.
Republican leaders say they are confident the legislation will be passed in time for President Trump to sign it on the 4th of July.
If finalised, the bill would mark Trump’s first major legislative victory of the year, delivering on long-promised tax cuts and defence spending increases.
However, critics have warned of the impact of deep cuts to programmes such as food stamps and Medicaid, which provide support to millions of low-income Americans.
The vote highlights the continuing divisions within the Republican Party, as it balances loyalty to Trump’s agenda with concerns over fiscal responsibility and state-level interests.
