A Visual Breakdown of the Senate Loophole Used to Pass the Megabill

Legislation & Policy - The Senate passed a bill with a 51-50 vote, using budget reconciliation to bypass the 60-vote threshold [1] - Budget reconciliation requires the bill not to increase the deficit outside a 10-year window [1] - The bill extends tax cuts from 2017, which previously expired to comply with the 10-year window [2] - Concerns arise as the bill cuts taxes more than it cuts spending, potentially violating budget reconciliation rules [2] Financial Implications & Accounting - The bill's math relies on a 2025 baseline, when 2017 tax cuts are still in effect [3] - Republicans claim the bill will reduce the deficit by $57 billion over 10 years through tax cuts and Medicaid reforms [3] - Critics argue that the bill uses "fake math and accounting gimmicks" to conceal its true cost [4]