Republican unity is cracking fast. Up to six GOP senators may derail the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a cornerstone of President Trump’s second-term agenda. This Senate showdown could sink the party’s big legislative swing.
Newsmax reported that as many as six Republican senators might vote against the bill, putting its Senate passage in serious jeopardy. The GOP can only afford one more defection, with Democrats lockstep in opposition. It’s a tightrope walk for Trump’s team.
Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Thom Tillis of North Carolina have already planted their flags against the bill. Their firm “no” votes signal deep divisions within the party. This isn’t just a hiccup—it’s a fracture.
At least six Republicans remained undecided as of Monday, according to reports. These holdouts are wrestling with the bill’s unresolved issues, like Medicaid cuts and state-specific provisions. The indecision is a headache for party leaders.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska is a key player in this drama. She’s waiting on a parliamentary ruling to see if Alaska can dodge funding nutrition assistance, fully bankrolled by the feds. That exemption could sway her vote—or not.
Meanwhile, Sens. Rick Scott of Florida, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Mike Lee of Utah, and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming are pushing hard for deeper Medicaid cuts. They want an amendment to tweak the federal funding formula. It’s a bold move, but it risks alienating moderates.
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine hasn’t committed either way. She’s floating an amendment to bring back pre-2017 tax rates for the wealthiest Americans. That’s a tough sell in a party itching for tax cuts, not hikes.
The bill’s Medicaid provisions are a lightning rod. Scott, Johnson, Lee, and Lummis argue the cuts don’t go far enough to rein in federal spending. Their amendment could rally conservatives but scare off centrists like Collins.
Murkowski’s Alaska carve-out is another sticking point. If the parliamentarian greenlights it, she might come on board. But special deals for one state could rile others, making the bill’s path even rockier.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was meant to be a slam dunk for Trump’s second term. Instead, it’s exposing GOP fault lines—libertarians, moderates, and hardline conservatives all pulling in different directions. Unity feels like a distant dream.
Paul and Tillis aren’t budging, and their defiance sets a tough tone. Paul’s libertarian streak and Tillis’s concerns about state impacts make them immovable objects. The party’s losing its grip on discipline.
With Democrats united against the bill, the GOP’s margin for error is razor-thin. One more defection beyond Paul and Tillis could kill the bill outright. It’s a high-stakes game of political chess.
Collins’s tax amendment is a wildcard. Restoring higher rates for the rich might appeal to her moderate instincts, but could alienate the GOP’s donor class. It’s a gamble that might not pay off.
The Medicaid amendment from Scott’s crew is equally divisive. Deeper cuts might fire up the base but risk painting the party as heartless—a gift to progressive talking points. The optics are brutal.
This bill was supposed to showcase Republican strength, but it’s revealing weaknesses. With six senators on the fence and amendments flying, the Senate’s a battleground. Trump’s big, beautiful vision hangs in the balance.
