After an intense period of debate and negotiation, the Senate advanced the “Big Beautiful Bill,” a significant budget proposal backed by President Donald Trump. The vote, held on Tuesday morning, saw Utah Senators Mike Lee and John Curtis among those supporting the bill, which passed narrowly with a 51-50 vote. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote. The legislation could lead to nearly 12 million Americans losing health coverage, including over 100,000 in Utah.
Three Republican Senators—Susan Collins of Maine, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and Rand Paul of Kentucky—broke ranks with their party, joining all Senate Democrats in opposition. Despite the controversy, Senator Curtis expressed satisfaction with the bill’s passage, stating, “The Big Beautiful Bill delivers for Utahns. It secures the border, provides permanent tax relief for working families, and strengthens our military.”
Key Provisions and Economic Implications
The Congressional Budget Office has projected that the Senate’s version of the bill will add $3.3 trillion to the national deficit over the next decade. Initially passed by the House on May 22 by a narrow margin, the bill’s tax cuts are an extension of those implemented eight years ago. Central to the legislation is the expansion of the Child Tax Credit (CTC), a measure primarily sponsored by Utah Representative Blake Moore. The CTC, currently set at $2,000, was poised to revert to $1,000 but will now increase to $2,200 under the Senate’s version, slightly less than the $2,500 proposed by the House.
Significant budget cuts are also a feature of the bill, particularly in Medicaid. The legislation aims to save $625 billion over the next decade through increased eligibility checks and the introduction of national work requirements for some beneficiaries. Additionally, the bill allows for the expiration of premium tax credits that assist millions in affording healthcare under the Affordable Care Act.
Impact on Healthcare Coverage
According to estimates from the Congressional Joint Economic Committee’s Democratic staff, the Medicaid changes could jeopardize coverage for approximately 31,000 Utah recipients and another 109,000 under the ACA. These figures underscore the bill’s potential impact on healthcare access across the state and the nation.
“The Big Beautiful Bill delivers for Utahns,” Curtis said in a statement immediately after its passage.
An earlier version of the bill included a controversial proposal by Senator Lee to sell millions of acres of federally-owned land, which was removed following bipartisan opposition.
Next Steps and Political Challenges
The legislation now returns to the House, where members must approve the Senate’s amendments before it can be presented to President Trump. As of Tuesday morning, it remains uncertain whether House Republicans will support the Senate’s changes. The bill’s passage marks a significant legislative milestone, though it faces potential hurdles in the House.
Experts suggest that the bill’s impact on the deficit and healthcare coverage could become focal points in upcoming political debates. The move represents a critical juncture in Republican efforts to reshape federal fiscal policy and healthcare regulations.
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
