Legislation & Policy - The bill includes a provision to expand funding for victims of nuclear waste [2] - Senator Hawley aims to ensure certain Medicaid cuts never take effect, despite voting for the bill [2][3] - The bill delays Medicaid cuts affecting Missouri until the 2030s [3][4] - Missouri is expected to receive $1 billion in increased rural hospital funds [4] Political Implications - Senator Hawley's vote was crucial for the bill's passage [7] - Republicans may face criticism for voting on a bill that could negatively impact rural hospitals [7][8] - The senator is facing scrutiny for voting for the bill while expressing opposition to its cuts to rural hospitals [9][10] Healthcare & Funding - The bill slashes rural hospital funding and healthcare funding [12] - Critics argue that tax cuts for billionaires and multinational corporations are linked to the slashing of healthcare spending [13][16] - Amendments could have been proposed to prevent healthcare cuts [15]

Political Strategy & Midterm Implications - Republicans aim to gain seats in the midterms, viewing the bill as a potential advantage [2] - Democrats plan to highlight the bill's negative impacts, particularly Medicaid cuts, in every battleground district [1][12] - Republicans may selectively promote specific popular provisions of the bill while downplaying more controversial aspects [18] Healthcare & Medicaid - The bill includes cuts to Medicaid, raising concerns about the impact on rural hospitals and healthcare access [1][3][4] - Senator Holly opposed Medicaid cuts but ultimately voted for the bill, focusing on securing funding for radiation and nuclear waste victims [3][5][6] - Missouri is set to receive $1 billion in increased rural hospital funds, but Medicaid provider cuts are delayed until the 2030s [7] Bipartisan Cooperation - The bill includes a bipartisan fund expansion to aid victims of radiation and nuclear waste, demonstrating cross-party collaboration [6][16] - Senator Holly worked with lawmakers across the aisle, including former Congresswoman Corey Bush, to reauthorize and expand the fund [15][17][18] Long-Term Impact & Uncertainty - The full effects of the bill, particularly Medicaid cuts, may not be felt immediately, but states are already planning for future implications [13][14] - There is uncertainty about whether Republicans will be able to undo key provisions of the bill in the coming years [10]

You hate, if I could say that, some pieces of this bill, but you voted for it. Got to take the wins that you can. For me, getting RCA passed, getting healthc care expanded in Missouri for these survivors. This is this is a multi-year journey, and this was the chance to do it. Listen, legislation, some parts you like, some parts you don't like. That's just part of the deal. You know, we've taken a first step again for my state, increase funding over the next few years. After that, we've got work to do to mak ...

Legislative Process & Key Amendments - Senate is in the midst of a "vote-a-rama" process on a budget bill critical to Donald Trump's vision [1][2] - Democrats are offering amendments to send the bill back to committee to change provisions related to Medicaid and SNAP, but Republicans are voting them down [3] - Senator Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted with Democrats on an amendment shielding rural hospitals, highlighting their potential influence on the bill's outcome [4] - Republican Senators Rand Paul and Thom Tillis have expressed concerns about the bill's debt impact and Medicaid cuts, respectively [5] - Clean energy credits are also under debate, with some Republican senators noting their states benefit from these credits [11] Republican Divisions & Concerns - Republicans have 53 senators and can only afford to lose three votes to pass the bill [4] - Some Senate conservatives, including Ron Johnson, Rick Scott, and Mike Lee, reluctantly voted to begin debate but want more deficit reduction provisions [7] - Concerns exist among moderate Republicans like Collins and Murkowski regarding the bill's impact on healthcare coverage in their states [6] - Fear of Trump's retribution is influencing Republican senators' decisions, potentially overriding concerns about the bill's negative impacts [14] Democratic Opposition & Key Issues - Democrats believe the bill will negatively impact healthcare, potentially causing 16 million Americans to lose coverage [11] - Rural hospitals are expected to be significantly impacted by the bill, potentially leading to closures [10][19][20] - The bill is seen as disproportionately benefiting those at the top, with potential cost increases for those earning minimum wage by about 53% [24] - Democrats argue the bill will revert the country to pre-Obamacare levels of uninsurance [18]

Fiscal Policy & Budget - The bill could increase the deficit by over $3 trillion over the next 10 years [1] - The bill proposes overhauling social programs such as SNAP (food stamps) and Medicaid [1] - The Senate bill would modify how states receive Medicaid funds, reducing the amount received via a special tax and creating a $25 billion fund to support rural hospitals [2] Political Dynamics & Opposition - Senator Tom Tillis initially voted against the bill, facing threats from President Trump [2] - Democrats argue the bill's growth is out of control, with strong criticism of its content [3] Specific Allocations & Provisions - The bill includes earmarks such as $85 million for moving the retired space shuttle Discovery [4] - The bill proposes creating a $1,000 Trump saving account for all newborns and requiring a $100 fee for asylum applications [4]

Joining us now, we have Axios chief economic correspondent Neil Irwin and NBC News senior business correspondent Christine Romans and Basil Michael is still with us. So I appreciate you all being here. Let's go ladies first with you, shall we.Okay, so Christine, um the cuts included in this bill, they're going to target not only SNAP, but Medicaid to what extent. Well, you're talking about 560ish billion dollars over a decade. And you look at the Congressional Budget Office scoring of this, and that's the o ...