Senate begins debate on Trump's 'big, beautiful bill'

After a dramatic procedural vote late Saturday, the bill went to the floor.

Last Updated: June 29, 2025, 9:32 PM EDT

The Senate on Sunday afternoon began debate on President Donald Trump's megabill for his second term priorities after a dramatic procedural vote late Saturday night.

There is up to 20 hours of debate but while Democrats will use their allotted 10 hours, Republicans are expected not to. After that, likely in the early hours of Monday, senators will begin offering amendments to the bill.

Overnight Sunday, the Senate parliamentarian ruled more provisions out of order with the reconciliation process Republicans are using to pass the bill with a simple majority. If it passes in the Senate, the bill goes back to the House to consider changes the Senate made to the House's version of the bill, which passed by one vote.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Jun 25, 2025, 3:08 PM EDT

34 arrested in Senate protest over Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

At least 34 people were arrested Wednesday in the Russell Senate Office Building while protesting Medicaid cuts in President Donald Trump's "Beautiful Big Bill," Capitol Police said.

They were charged with "Crowding, Obstructing and Incommoding," Capitol Police said.

An additional person "was arrested for crossing a police line outside where we are processing the arrests," according to police.

Demonstrators against proposed Republican spending cuts walk through the lobby of the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., June 25, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters

-ABC News' Beatrice Peterson

Jun 25, 2025, 10:46 AM EDT

Trump reiterates his vow to end Ukraine-Russia war fast was 'sarcasm'

A Dutch reporter brought up President Donald Trump's campaign vow that he would end the war between Russia and Ukraine within 24 hours of returning to office, but later claimed that was "sarcasm."

"Of course it was sarcastic," Trump said.

President Donald Trump attends the second day of the 2025 NATO Summit, June 25, 2025 in The Hague, Netherlands.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

The president added that the situation is "more difficult than people would have any idea," claiming both leaders were difficult. Trump then pivoted to other foreign conflicts including the Indian-Pakistan conflict which he took responsibility for resolving.

Jun 25, 2025, 10:13 AM EDT

Trump touts new NATO defense commitment as 'big win'

President Donald Trump, speaking at a news conference at the NATO summit in the Netherlands, celebrated allies boosting defense spending -- something he's long pushed for.

"This week, the NATO allies committed to dramatically increase the defense spending to that 5% of GDP, something that no one really thought possible," Trump said.

He said the agreement will be known as "The Hague Defense Commitment" and once reached will add more than $1 trillion a year toward common defense.

President Donald Trump, alongside secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a news conference at the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, June 25, 2025.
Brian Snyder/Reuters

"It's a monumental win for the United States because we were carrying much more than our fair share," Trump said. "But this is a big win for Europe and for actually western civilization."

Jun 24, 2025, 2:34 PM EDT

Bipartisan House majority kills effort to impeach Trump over US strikes on Iran

For Rep. Al Green, the sixth time will not be the charm.

An overwhelming bipartisan majority rejected the Texas Democrat’s long-shot effort to impeach President Donald Trump -- this time over the U.S. strikes on Iran. The vote was 344-79.

Almost half the Democratic House caucus ( 79 Democrats) voted with all Republicans to kill the motion.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks to reporters  with Secretary of State Marco Rubio onboard Air Force One en route to the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, June 24, 2025.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters with Secretary of State Marco Rubio onboard Air Force One en route to the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, June 24, 2025.
Brian Snyder/Reuters

-ABC News' John Parkinson

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