'It's a problem': Senate Republicans don't have the votes to even debate Trump's big bill

Republican senators are still split over H.R. 1 — President Donald Trump’s "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." Many GOP lawmakers are refusing to support it without changes, raising concerns that it could stall before it even reaches a vote, Semafor reported Wednesday.

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) told Semafor bluntly that the only way to see where support lies is to actually hold a vote.

“On legislation like this, the only way to know whether you got the votes to get on the bill is to take the vote. You’re having a lot of people say, ‘they can’t vote for the bill, they can’t vote for the bill,’ that in my judgment, will vote for the bill," he said.

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Despite pressure from Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to vote before the July 4 recess, GOP leaders don’t yet have the necessary 50 votes to advance it.

The final version of the bill is still being drafted, leaving senators wary of committing.

A main issue is how the bill would affect rural hospitals. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) warned that some senators “will not support taking up the megabill until we get further clarity on the rural hospital issue,” saying: “They’re not voting to proceed until they get some clarity.”

“They’re not voting to proceed until they get some clarity. So I think it’s a problem," he added.

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Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are considering a dedicated fund — possibly between $15 billion and $100 billion — to help rural hospitals offset Medicaid cuts, the report noted.

Moderates like Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) favor a larger $100 billion fund, while conservatives argue a much smaller amount would suffice.

Thune is expected to force a procedural vote by Friday. He’s told colleagues “we’re on track to start Friday,” and Kennedy agrees a vote is likely.

However, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) noted privately that no one wants to hold a vote they plan to lose, according to the report. “I don’t think the leader wants a failed vote,” she said.

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