As the Senate races toward a July 4 deadline to deliver President Donald Trump’s sweeping legislative package, the question on everyone’s mind is: which Republicans voted against the big beautiful bill? The answer reveals a rare crack in GOP unity, with two prominent senators defying party leadership in a dramatic late-night vote.
On Saturday, June 28, 2025, the Senate advanced Trump’s “big beautiful bill” by the narrowest possible margin, 51 to 49. While most Republicans fell in line to push the sprawling 940-page bill forward, two Republican senators refused to support the measure. Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Rand Paul of Kentucky cast the only GOP votes against moving the bill to the next stage of debate, joining all 49 Democrats in opposition.
Inside the Late-Night Senate Drama
The vote capped hours of intense negotiation and high-stakes pressure from Republican leaders and Vice President JD Vance, who worked behind the scenes to persuade holdouts. The bill, which bundles massive tax cuts, increased military spending, border wall construction, and funding for mass deportations, is Trump’s signature legislative priority for his second term. To pay for these measures, the bill proposes cuts to Medicare and clean energy programs, sparking heated debate even among Republicans.
Tillis and Paul’s opposition was not unexpected, but it highlighted the deep divisions within the party. Tillis, who faces reelection in 2026, voiced fundamental concerns about the bill’s approach. “I’m voting no on the motion to proceed,” he stated, signaling his discomfort with the package’s direction. Trump responded swiftly on Truth Social, threatening to support primary challengers against Tillis, whom he accused of failing to represent North Carolina and the nation.
Paul, a longtime fiscal hawk, has a history of bucking party leadership on spending and debt issues. His “no” vote reinforced his reputation as a principled outlier, even as other conservatives were ultimately swayed by leadership promises on amendments and Medicaid reforms.
House Republicans and the Road Ahead
While the Senate narrowly advanced the big beautiful bill, the House faces its own challenges. Earlier this year, five House Republicans—Chip Roy (Texas), Ralph Norman (South Carolina), Josh Brecheen (Oklahoma), Andrew Clyde (Georgia), and Lloyd Smucker (Pennsylvania)—voted against the bill in committee, citing concerns over entitlement cuts and fiscal conservatism. Smucker later clarified that his vote was a procedural maneuver to keep options open, but the episode underscored the delicate balance of power in the House.
As the Senate prepares for a marathon session—including a “vote-a-rama” of unlimited amendments and hours of debate—lawmakers on both sides of the Capitol are under intense pressure to deliver results before Independence Day. Trump has made clear that failure to pass the big beautiful bill would be a “profound betrayal,” and the White House is watching closely.
Key Point Summary
- Senate Vote: 51-49 to advance the bill, with only two Republicans—Thom Tillis (NC) and Rand Paul (KY)—voting against.
- House Opposition: Five House Republicans opposed the bill in committee, but their votes were partly procedural.
- Bill Highlights: $150 billion military boost, border wall funding, mass deportation funding, Medicare and clean energy cuts.
- Deadline: Republicans aim to send the bill to Trump’s desk by July 4.
What’s Next for the Big Beautiful Bill?
With the Senate hurdle cleared, attention turns to the House, where the bill’s fate is less certain. Conservative holdouts are demanding deeper cuts, while moderates worry about the impact on healthcare and social programs. The next few days will be critical as lawmakers race against the clock to meet Trump’s deadline.
For those tracking the latest developments, the question of which Republicans voted against the big beautiful bill is just the beginning. As negotiations continue and amendments pile up, the stakes could not be higher for the GOP and the country.
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