By Richard Cowan, David Morgan and Rose Horowitch
The US Senate has passed a sweeping US$430 billion (NZ$687bn) bill intended to fight climate change, lower drug prices and raise some corporate taxes, a major victory for President Joe Biden that Democrats hope will aid their chances of keeping control of Congress in this year's elections.
US Vice President Kamala Harris waves as she departs the Senate after casting the tie-breaking vote in the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. Photo: DREW ANGERER
After a marathon, 27-hour weekend session of debate and Republican efforts to derail the package, the Senate approved the legislation known as the Inflation Reduction Act by a 51-50 party line vote - Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tie-breaking ballot.
The action sends the measure to the House of Representatives for a vote - expected on Friday - that could forward it, in turn, to the White House for Biden's signature. In a statement, Biden urged the House to act as soon as possible and said he looked forward to signing the bill into law.
"The Senate is making history," an elated Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, after pumping his fists in the air as Democrats cheered and their staff members responded to the vote with a standing ovation.
"To Americans who've lost faith that Congress can do big things, this bill is for you," he said. "This bill is going to change America for decades."
Schumer said the legislation contained "the boldest clean energy package in American history" to fight climate change while reducing consumer costs for energy and some medicines.
Democrats have drawn harsh attacks from Republicans over the legislation's US$430 billion in new spending and roughly US$740 billion (NZ$1.2 trillion) in new revenue.
Nevertheless, Democrats hope its passage, ahead of an August recess, will help the party's House and Senate candidates in the 8 November midterm elections at a time when Biden is suffering from anaemic public approval ratings amid high inflation.
The legislation is aimed at reducing carbon emissions and shifting consumers to green energy, while cutting prescription drug costs for the elderly and tightening enforcement on taxes for corporations and the wealthy.
Because the measure pays for itself and reduces the federal deficit over time, Democrats contend that it will help bring down inflation, an economic liability that has also weighed on their hopes of retaining legislative control in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the legislation contained 'the boldest clean energy package in American history'. Photo: DREW ANGERER
Republicans, arguing that the bill will not address inflation, have denounced the measure as a job-killing, left-wing spending wish list that could undermine growth when the economy is in danger of falling into recession.
Democrats approved the bill by using a parliamentary manoeuvre called reconciliation, which allows budget-related legislation to avoid the 100-seat chamber's 60-vote threshold for most bills and pass on a simple majority.
After several hours of debate, the Senate began a rapid-fire "vote-a-rama" on Democratic and Republican amendments on Saturday evening that stretched into Sunday afternoon.
Democrats repelled more than 30 Republican amendments, points of order and motions, all intended to scupper the legislation. Any change in the bill's contents wrought by an amendment could have unravelled the Democrats' 50-senator coalition needed to keep the legislation on track.
No cap on insulin costs
But they were unable to muster the votes necessary to retain a provision to cap soaring insulin costs at US$35 (NZ$56) a month on the private health insurance market, which fell outside the reconciliation rules. Democrats said the legislation would still limit insulin costs for those on Medicare.
In a foreshadowing of the coming fall election campaign, Republicans used their amendment defeats to attack vulnerable Democrats who are seeking re-election in November.
"Democrats vote again to allow chaos on the southern border to continue," Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement that named Democratic Senators Mark Kelly of Arizona, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Raphael Warnock of Georgia. All four are facing tight contests for re-election.
The bill was more than 18 months in the making as Biden's original sweeping Build Back Better plan was whittled down in the face of opposition from Republicans and key legislators from his own party.
"It required many compromises. Doing important things almost always does," Biden said in a statement.
- Reuters
