Special Poll
The Senate approved a budget resolution on Friday, setting the stage for the first phase of President Trump’s agenda to move forward.
In a 52-48 vote, mostly along party lines, the resolution passed after a long and intense overnight session. Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was the only Republican to break ranks and vote against it.
The process, often called a “vote-a-rama,” lasted about 10 hours as Democrats attempted to put pressure on Republicans with a series of amendments focused on taxes and Medicaid. While most of these proposals were rejected, a few Republicans broke from their party on key issues, such as efforts to prevent health care cuts and reinstate federal workers impacted by mass layoffs.
The resolution clears the way for approximately $340 billion in funding. This includes $175 billion for border security and immigration enforcement—a major step in carrying out Trump’s deportation plans—and $150 billion earmarked for military spending.
Beyond funding allocations, the vote also highlights an ongoing divide within the Republican Party over how to best implement Trump’s priorities. Senate Republicans and House Republicans continue to debate the right approach to pushing forward the president’s agenda.
Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) hailed the resolution as a significant victory for the administration. “This budget resolution is a complete game changer when it comes to securing our border and making our military more lethal. It will allow President Trump to fulfill the promises he made to the American people — a very big deal,” Graham said in a statement after the vote.
With this resolution now in place, attention will turn to how Congress navigates the next steps in turning these budget plans into law.