BATON ROUGE - The U.S. Senate passed a nearly $1.5 trillion tax bill early Saturday morning, with both of Louisiana's Republican senators voting in favor of the bill.

The vote was 51-49, largely along party lines. Sen. Bill Cassidy said the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would cut taxes for working families in the state.

"The Tax Cut and Jobs Act cuts taxes for working and middle-income families," Cassidy said in a press release. "It boosts the economy, repeals Obamacare's individual mandate, preserves the Historic Tax Credit, gives tax relief to victims of the 2016 floods in North and South Louisiana and provides money to rebuild our coastline. This is a good bill for Louisiana and the United States."

Sen. John Kennedy said Louisiana would see an increase of 12,611 new jobs and the average family would gain $1,857 in after-tax income under the Senate tax bill.

"This bill is about three things: tax cuts, jobs, and more jobs," Kennedy said in a press release. "It doesn't take an expert to see what's stalling the American economy: middle-class families need to see more of their hard-earned dollars in their bank accounts. This bill gives them that while allowing American job creators the freedom and flexibility they need to increase wages and create jobs."

It would bring the first major overhaul of the U.S. tax system in three decades. The measure must be reconciled with a version the House passed last month.