The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ has passed the US Senate – these are the winners and losers

  • Written by Lester Munson, Non-Resident Fellow, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney

One of the unique aspects of Washington life is a Senate “vote-a-rama,” in which the upper house of Congress tortures itself by pulling a marathon all-nighter of speeches, amendments and votes on a critical bill.

The Senate has just endured the usual mélange of horrors before passing[1] US President Donald Trump’s massive tax and spending agenda – the One Big Beautiful Bill Act[2].

The process was a mess and the final result was tight: 51-50 after Vice President JD Vance broke the tie. But it landed another huge political win for Trump.

It will likely be no different when the bill hits the House of Representatives, before being signed into law, maybe as soon as July 4 – Independence Day.

Mega bill

Using the momentum from his bunker-busting strike[3] on Iran’s nuclear weapons program, Trump pressured wavering congressional Republicans to toe the line and support the package.

The bill includes a continuation of Trump’s tax cuts[4] from his first term, which were set to expire next year. They are being portrayed as new tax relief, even though American tax policy remains the same because of arcane budget process rules in Congress.

Trump included a provision eliminating taxes on tips and overtime[5], which will further endear him to many working Americans, particularly those in private sector unions and food services.

The bill also provides more funding for border security and a US$150 billion (A$227 billion) boost to defence spending[6], which will soon be tracking at more than US$1 trillion (A$1.51 trillion) per year.

Other measures include work requirements for government health care recipients and cuts to two major safety net programs, including Medicaid[7].

As a budget bill, there are some limits to what provisions can be included, but the Trump team was able to shoehorn nearly all of his domestic agenda into this bill – hence the absurd title.

All of this means Trump can get what he wants if he keeps Republicans united, as no Democrats are needed to pass the bill into law.

Democrat opposition

The “big beautiful bill” provides some political opportunities to Trump’s opponents.

The Democrats have fought the bill at every step, saying the “tax cuts” only benefit rich people while the health care cuts will have severe consequences for the working poor.

They can plausibly accuse Republicans of cutting taxes for the wealthy. However, the tax cuts on tips and overtime somewhat mitigate that attack.

Protestors carrying banners outside Capitol Hill.
The One Big Beautiful Bill has sparked protests over its tax relief and cuts to safety net programs. Jim Lo Scalzo/AAP[8]

The Democrats have also highlighted the impact of the bill on America’s national debt, which is at historically high levels. But this attack has only highly limited benefits for the party, which is not known for its own spending restraint.

Nevertheless, Trump’s bill is so far winning passage, often by the thinnest possible margins, at every stage of the wonderfully convoluted American legislative process.

‘Utterly insane and destructive’

The victory in the Senate has not come without some costs, especially given the way it has exacerbated Trump’s explosive feud[9] with Elon Musk.

The public divorce between Trump and his former “First Friend” has been an ongoing soap opera. Saturation media coverage of the squabble between the world’s richest man and its most powerful, has featured threats, accusations, name-calling, and physical confrontations.

Once it became clear Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill did not include significant budget cuts, Musk turned on his patron and severely criticised[10] the legislative effort, as “political suicide” for the Republican Party:

It will destroy millions of jobs in America and cause immense strategic harm to our country

Although the two men patched things up a few weeks ago, the bitter feud has erupted again with the bill’s passage though the Senate.

Musk says the bill[11] is “utterly insane and destructive” and is vowing political retribution on Republicans who voted for it:

In turn, Trump has threatened to deport Musk[12] back to his birth country of South Africa and turn the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) loose on Musk’s companies[13] that have contracts with the government, including SpaceX, which is a necessary component of the American space program.

Elon Musk and Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
The messy feud between Elon Musk and Donald Trump has been reignited by the bill. Evan Vucci/AAP[14]

Musk’s tantrums are unlikely to lead to real political problems for Trump, given many congressional Republicans continue to rely on the president for support.

They will not be tempted to support Musk no matter how much he threatens them.

Trump’s triumph

The president has managed his legislative strategy to near perfection.

Trump and his team used the DOGE process to give political cover to fiscal conservatives to vote with him on the bill. Even the breach with Musk didn’t change this dynamic much.

At the end of it all, Trump has been able to enforce discipline in his own party and get what he needed from Congress.

When Trump signs his big beautiful bill into law, it will be another political victory for the president.

References

  1. ^ before passing (www.bbc.com)
  2. ^ One Big Beautiful Bill Act (www.whitehouse.gov)
  3. ^ bunker-busting strike (www.aljazeera.com)
  4. ^ Trump’s tax cuts (edition.cnn.com)
  5. ^ taxes on tips and overtime (theconversation.com)
  6. ^ defence spending (breakingdefense.com)
  7. ^ Medicaid (www.aha.org)
  8. ^ Jim Lo Scalzo/AAP (photos.aap.com.au)
  9. ^ explosive feud (www.theguardian.com)
  10. ^ severely criticised (www.pbs.org)
  11. ^ the bill (www.theguardian.com)
  12. ^ deport Musk (www.theaustralian.com.au)
  13. ^ Musk’s companies (edition.cnn.com)
  14. ^ Evan Vucci/AAP (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/trumps-big-beautiful-bill-has-passed-the-us-senate-these-are-the-winners-and-losers-260287

Times Magazine

Building an AI-First Culture in Your Company

AI isn't just something to think about anymore - it's becoming part of how we live and work, whether we like it or not. At the office, it definitely helps us move faster. But here's the thing: just using tools like ChatGPT or plugging AI into your wo...

Data Management Isn't Just About Tech—Here’s Why It’s a Human Problem Too

Photo by Kevin Kuby Manuel O. Diaz Jr.We live in a world drowning in data. Every click, swipe, medical scan, and financial transaction generates information, so much that managing it all has become one of the biggest challenges of our digital age. Bu...

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

The Times Features

Flipping vs. Holding: Which Investment Strategy Is Right for You?

Are you wondering whether flipping a property or holding onto it is the better investment strategy? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. Both strategies have distinct advantages a...

Why Everyone's Talking About Sea Moss - And Should You Try It Too?

Sea moss - a humble marine plant that’s been used for centuries - is making a major comeback in modern wellness circles. And it’s not just a trend. With growing interest from athle...

A Guide to Smarter Real Estate Accounting: What You Might Be Overlooking

Real estate accounting can be a complex terrain, even for experienced investors and property managers. From tracking rental income to managing property expenses, the financial in...

What Is the Dreamtime? Understanding Aboriginal Creation Stories Through Art

Aboriginal culture is built on the deep and important meaning of Dreamtime, which links beliefs and history with the elements that make life. It’s not just myths; the Dreamtime i...

How Short-Term Lenders Offer Long-Lasting Benefits in Australia

In the world of personal and business finance, short-term lenders are often viewed as temporary fixes—quick solutions for urgent cash needs. However, in Australia, short-term len...

Why School Breaks Are the Perfect Time to Build Real Game Skills

School holidays provide uninterrupted time to focus on individual skill development Players often return sharper and more confident after structured break-time training Holid...