Senators prep for a weekend of work to meet Trump’s deadline for passing his tax and spending cuts

Not all GOP lawmakers are on board with proposals to reduce spending on Medicaid, food stamps and other programs to help extend some $3.8 trillion in Trump tax breaks.

The Senate is expected to grind through a rare weekend session as Republicans race to pass President Donald Trump’s package of tax breaks and spending cuts by his July Fourth deadline.

Republicans are using their majorities in Congress to push aside Democratic opposition, but they have run into a series of political and policy setbacks. Not all GOP lawmakers are on board with proposals to reduce spending on Medicaid, food stamps and other programs as a way to help cover the cost of extending some $3.8 trillion in Trump tax breaks

The 940-page bill was released shortly before midnight Friday. Senators were expected to take a procedural vote Saturday to begin considering the legislation, but the timing was uncertain. There would still be a long path ahead, with at least 10 hours of debate time and an all-night voting session on countless amendments.

Senate passage could be days away, and the bill would need to return to the House for a final round of votes before it could reach the White House.

“It’s evolving,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., as he prepared to close up the chamber late Friday.

The weekend session could be a make-or-break moment for Trump’s party, which has invested much of its political capital on his signature domestic policy plan. Trump is pushing Congress to wrap it up, even as he sometimes gives mixed signals, allowing for more time.

At recent events at the White House, including Friday, Trump has admonished the “grandstanders” among GOP holdouts to fall in line.

“We can get it done,” Trump said in a social media post. “It will be a wonderful Celebration for our Country.”