Budget Framework Passes After All-Night 'Vote-a-Rama'

Republican senators pushed a $340 billion budget framework to passage early Friday, chugging through an all-night session and Democratic opposition in a step toward unleashing money the Trump administration says it needs for mass deportations and border security. The hours-long "vote-a-rama" rambled along in a dreaded but crucial part of the budget process, as senators considered one amendment after another, largely from Democrats trying to halt it. But Republicans used their majority to muscle the package to approval on a largely party-line vote, 52-48, with all Democrats and one GOP senator, Sen. Rand Paul, opposing it, the AP reports.

With little power in the minority to stop the onslaught, Democrats instead used the all-night debate to force GOP senators into potentially embarrassing votes—including the first one, on blocking tax breaks to billionaires. It was turned back, on procedural grounds. So were many others. "This is going to be a long, drawn-out fight," warned Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. The package that senators pushed forward is what Republicans view as a down payment on Trump's agenda, part of a broader effort that will eventually include legislation to extend some $4.5 trillion in tax breaks and other priorities. That's being assembled by House Speaker Mike Johnson in a separate budget package that also seeks up to $2 trillion in reductions to health care and other programs.

Trump has preferred what he calls one "big, beautiful bill," but the White House is open to the Senate's strategy of working on the border package first, then turning to tax cuts later this year. As voting began, the president signaled his go-ahead, posting a thank you to Senate Majority Leader John Thune "and the Republican Senate, for working so hard on funding the Trump Border Agenda." Republicans insist the whole thing will be paid for, rather than piled onto debt, with potential spending cuts and new revenues. This story has been updated with new developments. (Click for more details on what's in the package—and why another vote-a-rama will be necessary.)