During Monday’s Chamber of Commerce polls, many senators found it difficult to get their amendments approved, raising uncertainty over the future of President Donald Trump’s much-debated “big, beautiful bill.”
Senators Susan Collins from Maine and John Cornyn from Texas have emerged as key figures in this ongoing debate. Collins is advocating for increased funding for rural hospitals, while Cornyn is pushing for further reductions in Medicaid.
It turns out Collins and Cornyn weren’t alone in their failed attempts to win support for their amendments. Here’s a quick look at the unsuccessful efforts, as well as some that did pass with overwhelming backing.
Rural Hospital Funding
Collins proposed an amendment to double the rural hospital funding from $25 billion to $50 billion over the next ten years. This, she argued, will allow more healthcare providers to access essential funds.
“Rural facilities, particularly hospitals and nursing homes, are under immense financial strain. Recent closures and the threat of more are concerning,” Collins stated ahead of the vote. “This amendment aims to keep them operational, which is crucial for rural communities.”
Collins also criticized the Medicaid cuts in the larger bill, describing her proposal as a gesture towards bipartisan cooperation. Additionally, she suggested raising tax rates for individuals earning over $25 million and couples over $50 million annually.
Senators Enter the Marathon Voting
“Critiques about the bill’s distribution are valid. The cuts to Medicaid and the wealthy tax breaks create a contradiction. When I tried to address both issues, they adopted a hypocritical stance,” Collins remarked.
Senator Ron Wyden dismissed Collins’ amendment as merely a superficial fix.
Expansion of Medicaid Reductions
Cornyn teamed up with Senators Rick Scott from Florida and John Barrasso of Wyoming to propose an additional $313 billion cut to Medicaid funds. This trio appears confident that their amendment will gain traction.
“It certainly feels like we’ve cut enough already,” remarked Senator Jim Justice, reflecting on the ongoing Medicaid reductions.
Increasing Teacher Deductions
Senator Kennedy also introduced an amendment intending to allow teachers to deduct $600 for classroom supplies they purchase out-of-pocket. However, it ultimately failed, receiving only 46 votes in favor versus 54 against.
Strengthening Child Tax Credits
Senator Bennett’s amendment aimed to enhance both the amount and accessibility of child tax credits but didn’t gain enough support, suffering a defeat with a 22-78 vote.
Clearing AI Regulation Roadblocks
In a rare moment of success, an amendment to remove a provision that would impose a ten-year suspension on state AI regulations passed with solid support. Originally, the bill would have required states to enforce AI regulations in order to receive federal funds. This amendment was co-sponsored by Senators Maria Cantwell, Edward Markey, and Marsha Blackburn.
“We cannot compromise on managing consumer protection effectively,” Cantwell asserted. “By advancing this, we can take meaningful steps to safeguard against robocalls, deepfakes, and ensure safe autonomous vehicle regulations. This also lays the groundwork for a federal framework on AI, enhancing U.S. leadership in the field while prioritizing consumer safety.”
The Senate adopted this amendment in an impressive 99-1 vote, with Senator Tom Tillis being the only dissenting voice.
