The US Senate formally voted on Saturday to open debate on President Donald Trump’s significant tax bill, indicating that it could be voted on by Friday, as Trump desires.
Debate among Republican senators was prolonged the day before because they could not agree on which version of the bill should be passed. The House of Representatives, however, has already voted on the bill.
The motion to open debate was narrowly approved on Saturday, with 51 votes in favour and 49 against. The Republicans hold a majority of 53 to 47 in the Senate.
Following the Senate vote, planned before the weekend, the revised bill will return to the House of Representatives.
Some Republican senators are opposing Trump’s bill, seeking substantive changes before it is put to a vote. Nonetheless, Trump remains hopeful of signing the bill into law by Friday, a US national holiday.
The bill, which Trump calls “one big beautiful bill,” aims to fulfil several of his major campaign promises. This includes extending substantial tax credits approved during his first term, eliminating tipping taxes, and allocating billions more for defence and immigration control.
To offset the costly tax incentives, the Republicans plan to make savings in social security.
