Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Sparks Gun Tax Cut Clash in Senate

President Donald Trump’s sprawling legislative package, dubbed the "big, beautiful bill," is stirring up a storm in Congress, with Republicans rallying to slash taxes and regulations on certain firearms. Tucked within the Senate Finance Committee’s contribution to this massive bill are provisions to remove short-barrel rifles, shotguns, and suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA). This would eliminate the $200 federal tax and the need to register these items with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

A Second Amendment showdown is brewing, as Senate Democrats are poised to scrub these gun-friendly changes through the "Byrd Bath" process, a meticulous review to ensure the bill aligns with reconciliation rules. Leading the charge for the gun provisions are Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas and Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia, who argue these changes, rooted in the Stop Harassing Owners of Rifles Today (SHORT) Act, bolster Second Amendment rights. Marshall called the provisions a way to make Trump’s bill "even more beautiful," while Clyde insists they’re a constitutional win for Americans.

Democrats, however, see the gun measures as ideological baggage. Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, hinted at a fierce fight, likening the Byrd Bath to "prolonged root canal work." He suggested Republicans are sneaking in policy under the guise of budgetary tweaks, a tactic he’s ready to challenge. Yet, Marshall remains unfazed, pointing out that the NFA’s tax component fits the reconciliation process, which requires only 51 votes to pass—a rare opportunity for Republicans to push their agenda without needing a filibuster-proof majority.

The debate hinges on the NFA’s history, upheld by the Supreme Court in the 1930s and reinforced in the 2022 Bruen decision. For now, the gun tax cut is a bold bet by Republicans, but whether it survives the Democratic pushback remains a high-stakes question in this legislative saga.