US Senate Republicans pass measure to move forward on Trump's tax cuts

5/4/2025 16:55

The U.S. Senate approved a Republican budget blueprint early on Saturday that aims to extend trillions of dollars worth of President Donald Trump's 2017 tax cuts and sharply reduce government spending.



The 51-48 vote, following a late-night legislative session, unlocks a maneuver called budget reconciliation that will allow Republicans to bypass the Senate's filibuster - a rule that imposes a 60-vote threshold on most legislation - and pass Trump's tax, border security and military priorities later this year without Democratic votes.



"Tonight, the Senate took one small step toward reconciliation and one giant leap toward making the tax cuts permanent, securing the border, providing much-needed help for the military and finally cutting wasteful Washington spending," Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham said.



Two Republicans - Senators Susan Collins and Rand Paul - joined Democrats in opposing the measure.



The Senate's action sent the measure on to the Republican-led House of Representatives, which is expected to take it up next week.