Payam Javan: In the early hours of April 5, 2025, the U.S. Senate approved a budget blueprint to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda, passing it with a 51-48 vote after an all-night “vote-a-rama” session that began on April 4. The resolution, which largely followed party lines, saw opposition from Republican Senators Susan Collins and Rand Paul. Utilizing the reconciliation process, the Senate considered numerous amendments—most from Democrats targeting Trump’s tariffs, tax cuts for the wealthy, and deficit concerns—all of which failed. The blueprint, unveiled by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham on April 2, now moves to the House, where it faces potential challenges due to a slim and diverse Republican majority under Speaker Mike Johnson.

The budget resolution includes key provisions such as making the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent, alongside funding directives for defense, homeland security, and significant spending cuts—$4 trillion in the Senate and at least $1.5 trillion in the House. It also proposes substantial Medicaid cuts, sparking Democratic opposition led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and unease among moderate Republicans. A controversial debt ceiling increase of up to $5 trillion further complicates its passage in the House, where conservative factions like the Freedom Caucus may resist. Both chambers must align on an identical plan to proceed, a process fraught with ideological divides and tight margins in the House.