Trump Budget Bill Faces Fury as CBO Projects 12 Million Could Lose Coverage

A new estimate by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has raised alarms over a sweeping budget bill in the US Senate, warning that it could eliminate health insurance coverage for nearly 12 million Americans and add $3.3 trillion to the national debt. The report has thrown fresh uncertainty over Republican efforts to pass signtaure legislation of U.S President Donald Trump, dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill.”

The bill narrowly advanced with a 51-49 vote in the Senate on Saturday night, with two Republicans siding with Democrats in opposition. Although the chamber voted to begin formal debate, it remains unclear whether the legislation has enough support to ultimately pass.

Rising Republican Dissent and Democratic Delay Tactics

Party leaders have scrambled to unify Republicans, with concerns mounting over healthcare cuts and fiscal impact. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, one of the dissenting Republicans, announced he would not seek reelection after voting against the bill. He cited deep concerns over the proposed Medicaid cuts, which he said would cost his state billions in lost funding.

Democrats have strongly criticized the bill, with Senator Mark Warner calling it “tax cuts for the wealthiest to end up cutting healthcare, plain and simple.” Democratic lawmakers are also using Senate rules to slow the process, including a full reading of the nearly 1,000-page bill. With 20 hours of debate allocated under Senate rules, Democrats are expected to use the full time to delay proceedings.

Contentious Cuts to Medicaid and Food Aid

The CBO reported that the bill includes $1 trillion in healthcare funding cuts, primarily targeting Medicaid a program used by millions of elderly, low-income, and disabled Americans. The bill imposes work requirements on most adults for Medicaid eligibility and reduces how much states can tax medical providers, a key funding source.

Although Republicans added a provision increasing the rural hospital relief fund from $15 billion to $25 billion to appease critics, resistance remains strong. The bill also includes work requirements for food stamp recipients with children over age 14 and would shift certain federal costs to states starting in 2028.

Trump Pushes July 4 Deadline Amid Growing Risks

President Trump is pushing for final passage before his self-imposed July 4 deadline. The White House warned that failure to pass the bill would be the “ultimate betrayal.” Yet opposition continues from within Trump’s own party, including Senator Rand Paul, who criticized the legislation for raising the national debt limit. If passed by the Senate, the bill must return to the House for final approval before reaching the president’s desk.