Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters Wednesday he will force senators to remain in Washington over the Fourth of July recess to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill.
Republican leadership in the Senate had been hoping to pass the bill before the recess begins June 27. Senators are set to be back home from June 28 through July 6, The Hill reported.
A multitude of issues reportedly remain before Republican senators agree on their version of the budget bill, that includes many priorities if the Trump administration.
There are disagreements over the extent of cuts to such things as clean-energy tax credits, changes to Medicaid, and concerns about the federal deficit.
"Everyone is just pulling this Gumby in lots of different directions," said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, The Wall Street Journal reported. "We are not, I think, resolved as a conference as to what that bill looks like."
Murkowski is one of several senators who has not committed to voting for the bill, along with moderate Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. Fiscal hawks like Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., have expressed opposition.
"Expectations were raised that something really good was happening from a fiscally conservative point of view," Paul told Punchbowl. "And then when that hasn't materialized, I think it's going to be a huge downer from our base."
With 53-47 Senate majority, Republicans can afford to lose only three votes, assuming all Democrats vote in opposition.
The first version of the bill must again pass the House, which approved the first version by one vote.
Sam Barron ✉
Sam Barron has almost two decades of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, crime and business.
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