'Very close to a final product': Senate GOP's version of Trump's megabill nears finish line
Share this @internewscast.com

With a week until a July Fourth deadline for Congress to get President Donald Trump’s megabill passed, Senate Republicans are going over the final sticking points — with the end in sight and a potential vote this weekend.

On Friday afternoon, Senate Republicans met with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who called the passage of the bill the “single most important economic thing we’re going to do this year.”

Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent speaks to members of the press, after meeting with Senate Republicans at the Capitol in Washington, June 27, 2025.

Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

House Speaker Mike Johnson chewed over the One Big Beautiful Bill Act with Senate Republicans at the closed-door lunch on Friday, telling reporters afterward that the Senate’s version of the legislation is almost done.

“We had a great discussion about a lot of important issues, and I feel like we’re getting very close to a final product,” Johnson said as he left the meeting.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson pauses to answer a reporters question as he heads to the chamber for the final votes of the week at the Capitol in Washington, June 27, 2025.

J. Scott Applewhite/AP

While the Senate grapples with the state and local tax provision, Johnson said he believes senators are “very, very close to closing that issue out.”

The Senate version of the bill was initially expected to hit the Senate floor on Saturday afternoon with a procedural vote on the motion to proceed to the bill, which requires a simple majority of votes to pass. However, late Friday, there were signs the initial timeline was slipping out of reach, with the Senate no longer expected to vote at noon. Instead, the Senate will convene at 2 p.m. and it’s not clear when the vote will happen.

After the bill gets the necessary votes to proceed, there are up to 20 hours of debate, evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats. Republicans will likely yield back most of their ten hours. Democrats will likely use close to all of it.

After an unlimited series of amendment votes, the Senate could vote on the final passage of the bill at some point on Sunday.

Still, some roadblocks remain. The Senate parliamentarian on Thursday rejected a Medicaid provision in the bill, which is a major blow to Senate Republicans’ efforts. Also, Senate Majority Leader John Thune can afford to lose only three Republican votes when the bill goes to the Senate floor, given unified Democratic opposition in the Senate.

“All of it depends on…we’ve got a few things we’re waiting on, outcomes from the parliamentarian on, but if we could get some of those questions issues landed, and my expectation is at some point tomorrow, we’ll be ready to go,” Thune said Friday.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune speaks with reporters following the weekly Senate Republican luncheon at the Capitol in Washington, June 24, 2025.

Shawn Thew/EPA/Shutterstock

Johnson and Thune met with Trump Thursday night in the Oval Office about the tax and immigration bill as Congress barrels toward its self-imposed Fourth of July deadline.

“We had a long discussion about … where the bill stands and its status. And they are — we are very, very close, and Leader Thune has confidence that they could get the job done by this weekend, and we certainly are hopeful for that,” Johnson said about the Thursday meeting.

Earlier Friday, Johnson suggested the Fourth of July deadline could slide, saying “it’s possible” that the deadline could change — although he said he wanted to remain committed to the July Fourth goal. However, later in the day, Johnson stuck to Independence Day.

“That’s been our goal all along, and it hasn’t changed,” the speaker said, adding that “the House is ready to act as soon as the Senate does.”

After fudging his long-standing, self-imposed July Fourth deadline for Congress to pass his massive immigration and tax bill, Trump later doubled down on the date in a social media post.

“The House of Representatives must be ready to send it to my desk before July 4th — We can get it done,” the president wrote.

President Donald Trump speaks alongside Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche during a news conference in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House, June 27, 2025, in Washington.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Earlier, when asked about the deadline during a news conference in the White House briefing room, the president said “it’s not the end all” and that “it can go longer.”

On Thursday, congressional leaders and the administration touted the benefits of the package during a celebration in the East Room of the White House.

As the Senate aims to move forward this weekend with the megabill, House leaders told members in a formal notice “pending Senate action on H.R. 1, votes on the One Big Beautiful Bill are expected in the House next week” — interrupting a planned weeklong Independence Day recess.

“Further information regarding the timing of votes will be provided as soon as possible, and Members will be given a minimum of 48 hours’ notice prior to any votes in the House,” the notice states.

Earlier this week, Trump told members of Congress that they would have to forgo vacations to get the bill to his desk.

“To my friends in the Senate, lock yourself in a room if you must, don’t go home, and GET THE DEAL DONE THIS WEEK,” Trump posted on his social media platform. “Work with the House so they can pick it up, and pass it, IMMEDIATELY. NO ONE GOES ON VACATION UNTIL IT’S DONE.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
ICE Chicago news: Fears of ICE agents and raids impacting restaurants like El Mexico De Chicago in Belmont Cragin

Concerns Rise as ICE Presence Affects Belmont Cragin Restaurants, Including El Mexico De Chicago

In Chicago, President Donald Trump’s immigration initiative, known as “Midway Blitz,” has…
US man arrested in Scotland and convicted of Utah rape gets at least 5 years in prison

Utah Rape Convict, Caught in Scotland, Receives Minimum 5-Year Sentence

In Salt Lake City, a Utah judge delivered a sentence on Monday…
Man found dead in abandoned Tuscaloosa County residence

Tragic Discovery: Deceased Man Found in Abandoned Tuscaloosa Home Sparks Investigation

In Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, investigators from the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit (TVCU)…
A Grand Teton mountain runner set a record. But his route turned into a crime

Trailblazer Sets Record in Grand Teton Run, Faces Unexpected Legal Challenges

Michelino Sunseri’s journey to the summit of Grand Teton was nothing short…
SJSO weighs in on Meta's new safety features for teen accounts

St. Johns Sheriff’s Office Reviews Meta’s Enhanced Safety Tools for Teens

Understanding the latest enhancements to parental controls on teen accounts is crucial,…
Crypto Scam warning: North Carolina man's account drained of $80,00 after he clicked on a link for a virtual meeting

Beware: North Carolina Resident Loses $80,000 to Crypto Scam After Clicking Virtual Meeting Link

Kenneth Nicholson, a Durham, North Carolina native, is deeply immersed in the…
'No Kings' agitator vowed to ‘fight ICE’ with firebombs at blue city's protest: report

Anti-ICE Protest in Blue City Escalates as ‘No Kings’ Activist Allegedly Plots Firebomb Attack

In a tense and dramatic turn of events, a man from upstate…
Texas mom on '40 Under 40' list arrested for leaving baby on Florida beach

Texas Mom Featured in ’40 Under 40′ Arrested After Incident Involving Baby on Florida Beach

A promising figure in the Texas healthcare scene, recently recognized on a…
Source of 'UFO' panic, drone mystery claims responsibility for frenzy: report

Mystery Solved: Drone Operator Admits Responsibility for Recent UFO Panic

A private aerial contractor has stepped forward to claim responsibility for the…
Colombia’s president muses about getting 'rid of' Trump amid drug feud

Colombian President Contemplates Action Against Trump Amid Ongoing Drug Dispute

WASHINGTON — In a startling interview, Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro voiced provocative…
Blue Jays beat Mariners in Game 7 of ALCS, now face Dodgers in World Series

Blue Jays Triumph Over Mariners in ALCS Finale, Set to Face Dodgers in World Series Showdown

The Toronto Blue Jays triumphed over the Seattle Mariners, clinching a 4-3…
Hamas transfers coffin of dead hostage to Israel, IDF confirms

Hamas Returns Deceased Hostage’s Coffin to Israel, Confirms IDF

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Monday that a coffin containing…