July 1, 2025 – Senate passes Trump’s agenda bill after marathon voting session

Vice President JD Vance — who cast the tie-breaking vote to push President Donald Trump’s policy agenda over the finish line in the Senate — was the last person to meet with Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska before she ultimately tipped her favor toward the bill, a source familiar told CNN.

In the meeting, Vance thanked her for being a team player despite her concerns with the legislation, according to the source.

While Vance spoke to senators with concerns about the bill throughout the entire marathon voting session, starting earlier today, he held a series of revolving-door visits with Republican senators in his ceremonial office as they came and went from the Senate floor. The meetings were designed to “provide situational awareness” and pitch the bill to get senators to vote “yes,” the source said.

Vance also met Tuesday with Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Sen. Tom Cotton Arkansas, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho, Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky — one of the three Republican senators to vote “no.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune was also present at several of the meetings.

Vance and Thune strategized until the final moments before the vote took place, the source said.

In addition to today’s meetings, before the Senate passed a key procedural vote late on Saturday, Vance met with conservative and moderate holdouts and Senate leadership.

James Braid, White House director of legislative affairs, and James Blair, Trump’s deputy chief of staff for legislative affairs, were by Vance’s side throughout the push, the source said. Vance was also in constant contact with Trump over the phone, and the pair updated each other on their meetings and conversations with senators and the status of the bill.

As for clearing the final hurdle — getting the bill back through the House — Vance met with Rep. Jason Smith, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, to strategize, according to the source.