Senate begins debate on Trump's 'big, beautiful bill'

After a dramatic procedural vote late Saturday, the bill went to the floor.

Last Updated: June 29, 2025, 9:32 PM EDT

The Senate on Sunday afternoon began debate on President Donald Trump's megabill for his second term priorities after a dramatic procedural vote late Saturday night.

There is up to 20 hours of debate but while Democrats will use their allotted 10 hours, Republicans are expected not to. After that, likely in the early hours of Monday, senators will begin offering amendments to the bill.

Overnight Sunday, the Senate parliamentarian ruled more provisions out of order with the reconciliation process Republicans are using to pass the bill with a simple majority. If it passes in the Senate, the bill goes back to the House to consider changes the Senate made to the House's version of the bill, which passed by one vote.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Jun 27, 2025, 12:26 PM EDT

'The [Senate] parliamentarian has been a little difficult,' Trump says

Trump was asked about his megabill and the latest decision made by the Senate parliamentarian, who rejected the Medicaid provision -- a major setback for Senate Republicans.

Trump didn't address the gridlock, but kept touting what he said were the bill's benefits.

"The parliamentarian has been a little difficult. And I would say that I disagree with the parliamentarian on some things and other ways. She's been fine, but we'll have to see," he said.

President Donald Trump listens during a briefing with the media, Friday, June 27, 2025, at the White House in Washington.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Jun 27, 2025, 12:21 PM EDT

On Iran strikes, Trump says US 'only ones who could have done it'

Addressing the Iranian strikes, Trump repeated his claim that their nuclear sites were "obliterated."

"It's amazing what was done. We're the only ones that could have done it," he said.

He said he doesn't believe Iran will "go back into nuclear anytime soon" and said nothing was moved from the site.

"You cannot let them have a nuclear weapon. And that's what happened," Trump said. "It's been obliterated. It would be years before they could ever get going."

President Donald Trump takes questions during a news conference in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House, June 27, 2025, in Washington.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
Jun 27, 2025, 12:13 PM EDT

Trump doesn't provide clear answer about trade deals

Trump was asked about the latest status in trade deals with other countries.

He did not provide any specific details about any new agreements. As of Friday, the U.S. has announced a trade deal with the United Kingdom and claimed to have one with China, however Chinese officials have said those talks aren't finalized.

"We have a lot of good things going. Some will be disappointed because they are going to have to pay tariffs," Trump said on Friday.

He then asked reporters to turn the news conference back to the Supreme Court decisions.

President Donald Trump speaks to the media, June 27, 2025, in the briefing room of the White House in Washington.
Shawn Thew/EPA/Shutterstock
Jun 26, 2025, 6:18 PM EDT

Trump tries to rally support around the 'Big, Beautiful' bill

Speaking at his One Big Beautiful Event rally, President Donald Trump touted key items in the legislation, including money for the border, no tax on tips as well as several key campaign promises he made on the trail.

“Almost every major promise made in the 2024 campaign already will have become a promise kept. That's very important,” Trump said.

The president urged Americans to contact their lawmakers to ensure his administration can secure the vote and acknowledged Speaker Mike Johnson's efforts.

“If you can call your senators, call your congressman, we have to get the vote,” Trump said. “You have been unbelievable Mr. Speaker, you have worked 'round the clock for months, for months.”

Trump said that he did not want any grandstanders getting in the way of the bill.

As the event wrapped, the president was asked if Congress would be able to deliver the piece of legislation to sign by Independence Day.

“We hope so,” Trump said.

“We're going to be celebrating very quickly, and we're going to be celebrating for a long time because we're turning our country around, we're getting our country back,” Trump closed, saying he's anticipating signing the bill next week.

-ABC News' Molly Nagle, Kelsey Walsh and Hannah Demissie

Sponsored Content by Taboola