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WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — After a marathon overnight session that stretched into Tuesday morning, Senate Republican leaders are now pushing toward their final set of votes in hopes of passing President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill."
Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., told reporters that the first vote could start soon, and they expect four votes, including final passage.
Senate GOP leaders can only afford to lose support from three Republicans and would still need a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance.
During the so-called vote-a-rama, which has lasted more than 20 hours on the Senate floor, lawmakers have been voting on amendments to tax breaks and spending cuts. It's a long delay tactic for Senate Democrats, but some of these votes will ultimately impact how Senate Republicans vote on the larger bill.
GOP hunts for votes to pass Trump’s tax plan
Among the Republican senators to watch are Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who have both raised concerns about health care cuts.
Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., voted against advancing the bill over the weekend. Paul has raised concerns about raising the debt ceiling, and Tillis has criticized the Medicaid changes.
Some Republicans have also demanded steeper cuts. The package, centered on tax breaks like "no tax on tips" and overtime exemptions, has divided the chamber.
"We've been working on this for a while. This is a lot of what President Trump's agenda was: The no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, those tax cuts, and delivering on those promises is very important," said Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo. "The stakes were high, and we intend to deliver."
Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, told “Morning in America” the Senate has done the bill no favors and says it would burden future generations with debt.
“Does the Senate have no conscience?” he asks. "Are we going to put all of this spending on our children and grandchildren in terms of the debt? No, I’m not pleased."
But Democrats have said they're not backing down.
"We'll be here as long as it takes for us to show the American people that this is bad policy, said Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.
Elon Musk blasts debt ceiling increase
As the Senate moves closer to Trump's July 4 deadline, billionaire Elon Musk has criticized the plan for raising the debt ceiling.
"Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame!" Musk wrote on his social platform X.
Trump fired back, bringing up government contracts with Musk's companies and suggesting,
"Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!"
House GOP critical of Senate’s version of 'big, beautiful bill'
Even before the bill reaches the House, signs of discontent have emerged.
A moderate House Republican, speaking anonymously to NewsNation partner The Hill, said that "everyone is complaining," and "no one is happy with the Senate version."
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