Collins, Hawley — two key holdouts — will support advancing GOP megabill
Share this @internewscast.com


Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), two key holdouts, said Saturday that they will vote to advance the Senate’s version of President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” citing changes made to the text unveiled by GOP leaders on Friday.

Collins said she will vote for the motion to proceed to the legislation out of deference to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), but warned that she still has significant concerns with the legislation and will propose several amendments to change it.

“I am planning to vote for the motion to proceed. Generally, I give deference to the majority leader’s power to bring bills to the Senate floor. Does not in any way predict how I’m going to vote on final passage,” she said.

“That’s going to depend on whether the bill is substantially changed,” she said. “There are some very good changes that have been made in the latest version but I want to see further changes and I will be filing a number of amendments.”

Collins vote on the procedural motion is crucial as two conservatives, Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) say they won’t vote for the legislation as it now stands.

Thune scored another big victory when Hawley, who had sounded the alarm over hundreds of billions of dollars in federal Medicaid cuts, told reporters that he will vote for the motion to proceed to the bill and will also support final passage of the 940-page Senate version of the legislation, which leaders unveiled Friday night.

Hawley said that changes to the legislation will result in significantly more federal Medicaid funding for Missouri over the next four years.

He also cited $1 billion in funding for Missourians suffering from radiation exposure related to the nuclear weapons development in the 1940s during Manhattan Project as reasons for his yes vote.

“With the delay in the provider tax framework that we were able to get and with the changes to the rural hospital fund, Missouri’s Medicaid dollars will actually increase over the next four years,” he said.

“We will get more money, Medicaid funding, over baseline until 2030. Any changes to our provider framework in Missouri will not take place until the next decade,” he said.

He noted that GOP leaders agreed to increase a rural hospital relief fund from $15 billion to $25 billion and changed the funding formula to provide more federal funds to his home state.

He also said that the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act funding he requested is “fully here and fully intact.”

“That will mean major new dollars flowing to the state of Missouri, expansion of health care for the people of Missouri. On that basis, I’m going to vote yes on this bill,” he said.

Senate Republicans control 53 seats and can afford only three defections in their caucus and still pass the bill.

If the motion to proceed clears a simple majority threshold, the chamber would debate the bill before moving to a “vote-a-rama,” during which unlimited amendments can be brought to the floor, before a final vote.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Urgent Search: Police Seek Public’s Help in Locating Missing Person Melodee Buzzard

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has issued a critical update regarding…

‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’ Delves into a Mother’s Profound Existential Journey

Occasionally, the most compelling movies are those that defy simple explanations, resisting…

Israel Confirms Identities of Two Hostages as U.S. Diplomat Vance Readies for Netanyahu Meeting

In Tel Aviv, Israel, a significant development unfolded as the office of…

Big Time Rush Set to Perform in Champaign

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A renowned boy band is heading to Champaign,…

New Development Near Forsyth Park to Feature Offices and Underground Parking

In Savannah, Georgia, there’s a buzz around a newly cleared plot near…

Tennessee Senator Advocates for AI Regulations Amid Rising Use of Chatbots by Children for Social Interaction

In today’s world, children are interacting not just with their peers from…

Texas Secretary of State Sparks Debate with Viral Post on Voter Fraud Allegations

Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson has reignited discussions about election integrity…

Arizona Takes Legal Action Against US House: Grijalva’s Swearing-In Delayed

On Tuesday, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, initiated legal action…

Effingham County’s Remarkable Journey: Fourth Consecutive State Quarterfinals Appearance

SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — The Effingham County Lady Rebels have secured their place…

New Bill Seeks to Provide Compensation for Victims of Crimes Committed by Undocumented Migrants

In a recent legislative move, Florida State Representative Berny Jacques, a Republican…

Shocking Allegations: Chicago School Security Guard Charged with Sexual Abuse of Minors

Editor’s Note: The following article addresses sensitive topics related to child abuse.…

Tragic Collision on I-8 in San Diego Claims Lives of Police Officer and Civilian Driver

In a tragic turn of events, all eastbound lanes on a segment…