“UTTER SHAME”
Polls show the Bill is among the most unpopular ever considered, and Democrats hope to leverage public anger ahead of the 2026 midterm elections when they aim to retake the House.
Backed by extensive independent analysis, they say the Bill’s tax cuts would disproportionately benefit the wealthy at the expense of social safety net programmes for the poorest Americans.
“Today, Senate Republicans betrayed the American people and covered the Senate in utter shame,” said Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Senate Democratic minority.
“In one fell swoop, Republicans passed the biggest tax break for billionaires ever seen – paid for by ripping away health care for millions of people and taking food out of the mouths of hungry kids.”
A handful of senators in the Republican majority had threatened to upset the apple cart, voicing concerns that the Bill would add more than US$3.3 trillion to the nation’s already yawning budget deficits over a decade.
The most high-profile opposition came in the shape of tech billionaire and estranged former Trump aide Elon Musk, who balked at the Bill’s debt implications and stripping of clean energy subsidies.
A furious Trump on Tuesday said he would consider deporting Musk – whose electric car company Tesla gives him extensive interests in green energy – and ending federal funds for his companies.
“Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa,” Trump posted on social media.
