Senate Republicans are laying the groundwork to amend the narrowly passed House reconciliation budget before putting it to a vote in their chamber.

The GOP-led Senate hopes to finalize changes to the Trump-backed bill, which passed the House by one vote, amid both internal disagreement and a push to meet a self-imposed July 4 deadline, as Breitbart reports.

The House of Representatives approved the budget measure early Thursday morning in a tight 215-214-1 vote. Despite the narrow margin, the bill’s passage marked a key milestone for Republican leaders and the president, who has expressed strong support for the package.

Now, Senate Republicans are signaling that adjustments to the bill are not only likely but necessary before it can clear the upper chamber. With the GOP maintaining a slim Senate majority, leadership can afford to lose no more than three votes if the legislation is to move forward.

Key amendments center on energy, tax credits

Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, indicated that major revisions will center on timelines and qualifications tied to the bill’s energy-related tax incentives. According to Tillis, both the production and investment tax credits will be under review for possible changes to better align with Senate priorities.

“We have a lot of work that we need to do,” Tillis noted, referring to the need to refine specific energy tax components in the bill. While supportive of the broader effort, he suggested the existing framework needs more precise calibration.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma echoed a similar approach, emphasizing the desire to preserve the bill’s general structure while making targeted adjustments. “There are some changes that we want to make,” he said, “but we don’t want to change it so much that it doesn’t look the same.”

Diverse GOP perspectives emerge

Still, unity among Senate Republicans is far from assured. Lawmakers have shown a range of opinions, with some urging caution and others openly criticizing the bill’s fiscal and policy components. Alaska’s Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a known critic of the former president, signaled she is unlikely to push for major overhauls despite the bill’s Trump-backed branding.

Murkowski cited political momentum, stating, “You can kind of see the writing on the wall here.” She pointed to the Republican-led House’s ability to pass the bill, the GOP Senate majority, and the president’s enthusiasm as reasons to work with the existing legislation.

However, concern over proposed cuts to clean energy incentives has drawn skepticism from figures such as Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas, one of four Republican senators opposing key reductions tied to the Inflation Reduction Act. Moran said he is currently reviewing the final text and expects to recommend changes.

Fiscal conservatives warn of costs

Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin delivered the most direct rebuke of the House-passed bill, calling it “unacceptable” in its current language. His objections center on the federal debt, which recently surpassed $37 trillion.

“We’re going to add to it as Republicans?” Johnson asked. “That is unacceptable.” He stressed that he would not support the bill without significant revisions, citing long-term consequences for future generations.

Johnson also downplayed concerns about criticism from the president, stating, “I couldn’t care less if he’s upset.” His decision, he added, stems from frustration over what he perceives as fiscal irresponsibility.

Opposition bloc could derail Senate passage

Johnson’s position is not isolated. He identified Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Rick Scott of Florida, and Mike Lee of Utah as sharing his opposition to the current budget framework. With those four senators potentially voting no, Senate Republicans risk failing to meet the threshold needed to secure passage on a strictly partisan line.

This internal divide raises questions about how far GOP leaders are willing to go to accommodate concerns within their ranks. Negotiations over the coming weeks will likely determine what shape the final version takes -- and whether it can win over skeptics without alienating more moderate voices.

For now, discussions continue behind closed doors, with lawmakers like Moran and Tillis working through legislative details and rallying support for possible amendments. The July 4 timeline remains a motivating but challenging marker.

High stakes heading into summer session

With party leaders aiming to send a revised bill to the Senate floor by Independence Day, time is tightening for consensus within the GOP. Republicans must reconcile competing fiscal and policy demands while preserving a cohesive message heading into the general election season.

As the budget serves both symbolic and practical purposes, its success could reinforce party unity -- or expose growing fissures. Ultimately, the next few weeks may determine the fate of one of the most significant Republican legislative efforts of the year.

Whether the changes satisfy wavering senators and maintain support from leadership remains to be seen, but what is certain is that the path ahead will require delicate political maneuvering.