Six GOP Senators Holding Up Trump Agenda

• Senate Republicans will soon take charge of Trump’s sweeping tax and domestic policy bill, returning to Capitol Hill with just weeks to finalize its provisions before the self-imposed July 4 deadline.
• The bill narrowly passed the House after Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) brokered a delicate deal among competing GOP factions. But the Senate version still faces turbulence from within the party.
• With just three votes to spare, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) must navigate concerns from several Republicans who could stall or reshape the bill.

Key GOP Senators to Watch:

• Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)
  • One of the Senate’s most prominent moderates.
  • Concerned about:
    • Medicaid work requirements, which she says Alaska cannot implement effectively.
    • The negative impact on tribal communities reliant on Medicaid.
    • House provisions to cut clean energy tax credits for wind, solar, and geothermal projects.
  • Though she supported the budget framework earlier this year, she’s raised red flags about practical implementation in her state.
• Josh Hawley (R-Mo.)
  • An unexpected holdout focused on protecting Medicaid.
  • Views proposed Medicaid cuts as a deal-breaker.
  • Says Trump personally told him: “Don’t touch it, Josh.”
  • Stood with Democrats during a previous amendment vote to prevent tax cuts if Medicaid is cut.
  • Missouri has a high rate of Medicaid and CHIP reliance, reinforcing Hawley’s stance.
• Susan Collins (R-Maine)
  • Voted against the GOP’s budget resolution in April, citing:
    • Concerns about shifting Medicaid costs to states.
    • The threat to rural hospitals in Maine.
  • Emphasized that Medicaid is vital for low-income families and seniors in her state.
  • One of two Republicans who supported a Democratic amendment to shield Medicaid.
  • Has a history of being a swing vote opposed the ACA repeal in 2017 but supported the GOP tax bill later that year.
• Rand Paul (R-Ky.)
  • Most likely Republican to vote no.
  • Strongly opposed to the bill’s inclusion of a debt ceiling hike.
  • Demands the debt ceiling language be removed to even consider supporting it.
  • Sees current spending reductions as weak and insufficient.
  • Without his support, GOP leaders are limited to 52 votes tightening the margin.
• Ron Johnson (R-Wis.)
  • Focused on fiscal discipline.
  • Warns the bill would increase the deficit by $4 trillion.
  • Wants the U.S. to return to pre-pandemic spending levels.
  • Suggested conservatives may halt progress unless deeper cuts are added.
• Thom Tillis (R-N.C.)
  • A moderate facing a tough reelection in 2026.
  • Worried about eliminating clean energy tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act.
  • Argues it creates uncertainty for long-term projects and investment in his state.
  • Joined Murkowski and Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) in warning against abrupt energy credit rollbacks.
  • GOP leadership has reason to give him policy wins to help him defend his seat.

With these six senators voicing concerns, the road to passing Trump’s signature legislative push remains uncertain and the margin for error in the Senate is razor-thin.