Senate begins debate on Trump's 'big, beautiful bill'
After a dramatic procedural vote late Saturday, the bill went to the floor.
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.
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Trump claims Dems won't approve megabill because 'it's so good for the Republicans'
When asked on the state of his megabill, a day after the Senate parliamentarian rejected a key Medicaid provision, Trump claimed that the Democrats don't want to approve the bill "because politically, it's so good for the Republicans."
"But think of what they're not approving. They're not approving border security," he said, going on to add, "If I were a Democrat, I would vote for this bill."
Surmising on who among the Democrats might vote for it, he said he thought Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman would "because he seems to be the most sensible one lately."
'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.
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."
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.