The US Senate has advanced President Donald Trump’s budget proposal following a narrow procedural vote, setting the stage for final approval by July 4, Reuters reports.
The bill passed by a margin of just two votes — 51 in favour and 49 against. Two Republican senators, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, broke ranks and joined Democrats in opposition.
The session was marked by intense debate. Senate Democrats insisted on a full reading of the 940-page document and are expected to propose numerous amendments before the final vote — a move Republicans say could delay the process significantly.
The House of Representatives passed the bill in late May by a single-vote margin: 215 to 214.
Trump’s budget plan seeks to extend business tax breaks introduced during his first term and proposes scrapping taxes on tips and overtime pay. It also allocates a significant increase in funding for defence, border security, and immigration enforcement.
At the same time, the bill would scale back social welfare programmes aimed at lower-income Americans.
Critics have warned that the plan could deepen the federal deficit and add between $3–5 trillion to the national debt. Democrats argue the bill favours big business while leaving vulnerable communities behind.
Elon Musk, a former Trump ally and now one of the bill’s most vocal critics, claimed it would drive Americans into «debt slavery» and urged lawmakers to reject it.
Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported on Trump denying claims that he had proposed giving Iran $30 bn for a civilian nuclear programme.
