Jul 1, 2025 - Politics & Policy
The Republican senators who voted against Trump's "big, beautiful bill"
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Senate Republicans passed President Trump's signature "big, beautiful bill" with Vice President Vance's tie-breaking vote after the chamber deadlocked at 50-50 due to three GOP defections.
Why it matters: The razor's edge vote reflects the deep intra-party divides created by the bill, which resulted in a dramatic breakup between Trump and Elon Musk, and which could play a defining role in the outcome of the 2026 midterms.
Who voted against the bill
- Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) opposed the legislation due to the bill's inclusion of an increase to the debt ceiling.
- Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) objected to Medicaid cuts, saying that Trump is breaking his promise of not pushing people off the program.
- Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) voted against the bill despite the last-minute doubling to $50 billion of a fund to support rural hospitals.
- All 47 Democrats or independents that caucus with Democrats opposed the bill.
Political consequences
The renegade Republican senators have faced — or can expect to face — fierce backlash for their positions.
- Tillis announced he wouldn't seek reelection next year after voting against a procedural step for the bill on Saturday and triggering a primary support threat from Trump.
- Paul was attacked by Trump for his opposition to the bill: "Rand will be playing right into the hands of the Democrats, and the GREAT people of Kentucky will never forgive him!" Paul is not up for reelection until 2028.
- Collins, who has won her seat five times as a moderate in blue-leaning Maine, could be in for a tough 2026 reelection battle with attacks coming from the left and right. Recent polling shows she has a 14% favorable rating with Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, a potential opponent, at 51%.
