Today's News: Senate Republican Version of Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill Deepens Medicaid Cuts
Their version of Trump’s comprehensive domestic policy bill introduces deeper Medicaid cuts, smaller increases to the child tax credit, and more tempered rollbacks of clean energy tax credits.
Photo: J. Scott Applewhite / AP
Overview
Date: June 16, 2025
Topic: Senate Republicans Revise Trump’s Domestic Policy Bill, Deepening Medicaid Cuts and Adjusting Tax Policies
Summary: Senate Republicans released their version of President Donald Trump’s comprehensive domestic policy bill, introducing deeper Medicaid cuts, smaller increases to the child tax credit, and more tempered rollbacks of clean energy tax credits than the House version. The Senate plan also maintains a stricter cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions and permanently enacts several business tax breaks. The bill sets up a contentious reconciliation process with the House, which passed a narrower version by a single vote. Lawmakers face pressure to finalize the legislation by July 4 while addressing internal divisions, particularly on Medicaid reductions and regional tax concerns.
Sources
The New York Times – Senate G.O.P. Releases Domestic Policy Bill With Deeper Cuts to Medicaid
CNN – Senate Republicans unveil plan for cuts to Medicaid and taxes in Trump agenda bill
NBC News – Senate Republicans release Trump agenda bill text on Medicaid, Medicare and SALT
The Washington Post – Senate overhauls Trump’s tax bill, setting up brawl with the House
Key Points
Medicaid Cuts: All sources report the Senate bill imposes deeper Medicaid cuts than the House version, including stricter work requirements and a cap on provider taxes for expansion states at 3.5%. This could lead to increased uninsured rates and financial strain on hospitals.
Tax Cuts: The Senate version would make the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent. Business tax breaks, particularly for R&D and equipment purchases, are also made permanent.
SALT Deduction Cap: The Senate maintains a $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions, rejecting the House’s $40,000 compromise, triggering backlash from House Republicans in high-tax states.
Child Tax Credit: The Senate proposes a permanent increase to $2,200, versus the House’s temporary $2,500 through 2028.
Clean Energy Credits: The Senate bill phases out credits more gradually than the House version, especially for base-load energy sources like nuclear and hydropower.
Debt Limit: The Senate bill increases the debt limit by $5 trillion, $1 trillion more than the House version, aiming to prevent a default before the August recess.
Political Tension: The Senate’s changes heighten tensions with House Republicans, particularly over Medicaid, SALT, and clean energy rollbacks.
Unique Highlights
NBC News: Highlights new Medicare verification rules and effects on “dual eligibles,” estimating 1.3 million low-income seniors may lose financial assistance.
CNN: Notes specific caps on Trump’s tax exemptions for tips and overtime ($25,000 and $12,500, respectively), and broader details on state-by-state Medicaid expansion impact.
The Washington Post: Details GOP infighting, names key Senate swing votes (Rand Paul, Lisa Murkowski), and introduces child care tax credits not present in the House version.
The Wall Street Journal: Mentions the inclusion of a modified “revenge tax” targeting countries with digital service taxes and a larger charitable deduction for non-itemizers.
Fox News: Points out the Senate's intent to create longer expiration windows (90- to 180-day rollbacks) for green energy credits instead of abrupt cancellations.
The New York Times: Provides CBO estimates that the House Medicaid provisions alone would result in 11 million more uninsured by 2034, likely worsened under Senate terms.
Contrasting Details
Medicaid Impact: While all articles agree on the deeper Medicaid cuts, NBC News and CNN emphasize the rural hospital impact, while The New York Times and The Washington Post focus more on the expansion-state financial hit.
Child Tax Credit: CNN says the Senate’s credit increase is capped through 2028, whereas The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal state it would be permanent.
Clean Energy Phaseout: The New York Times mentions a slightly longer runway for clean energy credits than the House bill, but The Wall Street Journal provides detailed phaseout timelines and distinctions across technologies.
Debt Ceiling Framing: The Wall Street Journal frames the $5 trillion debt ceiling hike as expected, while Fox News highlights opposition from Sen. Rand Paul and urgency from Treasury.
SALT Cap Tension: The Washington Post, CNN, and Fox News emphasize potential House defections over the $10,000 cap, while The Wall Street Journal contextualizes it as a budget offset favored by Senate Republicans.
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