Vice President JD Vance cast the deciding vote in the Senate on Tuesday, allowing Republicans to push through a major legislative win for President Trump with the passage of his sweeping policy package, the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act. The final vote followed intense behind-the-scenes negotiations and a grueling 27-hour stretch of amendment votes that capped off several days of floor action.
The bill passed narrowly, with Republican Senators Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Susan Collins of Maine voting against it, alongside all Democratic senators.
The outcome remained uncertain until the final moments, as Senate GOP leaders worked urgently to secure the support of Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Murkowski, known for her independent streak, expressed concern that the bill’s significant reductions to Medicaid and federal nutrition programs could negatively impact vulnerable residents in her state.
During the day, Murkowski was seen on the phone in the Capitol discussing how the bill might affect those in need, signaling hesitation about the measure. Her support became critical as Collins, Tillis, and Paul had already made clear they would not back the bill.
To win over Murkowski, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and his leadership team, including Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo, drafted special provisions aimed at softening the impact of Medicaid and food assistance program changes on Alaska. Their efforts appeared successful, as Murkowski ultimately sided with her party, setting up the 50-50 split that Vance broke in favor of final passage.
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