Overview

• Lawmakers are considering Medicare Advantage reforms, freezing Federal Reserve bank reserve interest and trimming defense spending to offset the bill’s projected $2.4 trillion debt increase over a decade.
• Moderate Republicans led by Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Jerry Moran balk at the House-passed plan’s $800 billion in Medicaid cuts and $267 billion in SNAP reductions, warning of rural hospital closures and food insecurity.
• Fiscal hardliners such as Rand Paul and Ron Johnson insist deeper spending cuts are needed and oppose any increase in military outlays, intensifying pressure on negotiators.
• Senate Finance Chair Ron Johnson has questioned extending Trump-backed tip and overtime tax breaks, prompting a clash with House allies who view those as core presidential priorities.
• Senate Majority Leader John Thune has organized small working groups to negotiate amendments, yet securing the 51 GOP votes for reconciliation by July 4 remains uncertain.