Spending megabill clears first Senate hurdle

Vote sets stage for overnight debate

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The Republican-controlled US Senate narrowly advanced President Donald Trump's, sweeping tax-cut and spending bill on Saturday, during a marathon weekend session marked by political drama, division and lengthy delays as Democrats sought to slow the legislation’s path to passage.

Lawmakers voted 51-49 to open debate on the 940-page megabill, with two of Mr Trump's fellow Republicans joining Democrats to oppose the legislation that would fund the president's top immigration, border, tax-cut and military priorities.

Mr Trump on social media hailed the “great victory” for his “great, big, beautiful bill”.

After hours of delay, during which GOP leaders and Vice President JD Vance worked behind closed doors to persuade last-minute holdouts to support the measure, Democrats demanded that the megabill first be read aloud in the chamber — a task that could delay the start of the debate until Sunday afternoon.

Democrats say the bill's tax cuts would disproportionately benefit the wealthy at the expense of social programmes for lower-income Americans.