Article Author:
Washington — US Senate on Sunday fought off an attempt to amend a $430 billion bill sought by President Joe Biden. The Senate was destined to vote early in the morning to pass the bill before the August recess began.
"Now is the time to push for a big and bold package for the American people," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer during Saturday night's debate. said at the start. He said the legislation contains "the most audacious clean energy package in American history" to fight climate change while reducing consumer costs for some medicines and energy.
After spending hours debating the bill on Saturday, senators called for a "llama vote" in which Democratic and Republican amendments were proposed in rapid succession.
Former presidential candidate and Democratic supporter, independent Senator Bernie Sanders was completely defeated in the first amendment proposed. He would have greatly expanded the number of prescription drugs whose prices were negotiated under the government's Medicare plan for the elderly.
His 99-to-1 vote against the amendment attracted only Sanders' support.
The Senate also overwhelmed Sanders' proposal to expand Medicare coverage for eyeglasses, hearing aids and dentistry.
This sweeping bill, negotiated by Democrats for months, will allow Medicare to negotiate prices for a limited number of prescription drugs with the pharmaceutical industry in his 2026 as a way to cut costs. can be started. It also sets a $2,000 annual cap on out-of-pocket medication costs under Medicare drug programs.
Elsewhere in the bill, through federal incentives for the production and purchase of electric vehicles and other “green” The goal is to reduce the of high inflation.
Democrats came under heavy fire from Republicans over the bill's $430 billion in new spending and her more than $740 billion in new revenues.
``Increase production''
Nonetheless, Democrats said their bill had deep support among voters. They hope that passage in the Senate and House by the end of next week will help Democratic candidates in the Nov. 8 midterm elections at a time when party leader Biden is struggling with poor public support.
The Democrats are fighting to retain a sliver of control of the Senate and House.
The Senate also quickly defeated a Republican amendment to impose new fees on oil refiners to help pay for the cleanup costs of toxic waste spills, and to reduce federal charges for onshore oil drilling projects. Another fee was charged to immediately extend the government lease.
"Instead of begging dictators in other countries to produce more oil and gas, we should boost American production," said Republican Senator John Barrasso. sued but failed.
Democrats banded together to oppose the amendment, saying that major changes could collapse his coalition of 50 senators needed to keep the bill on track. I was afraid of
On Saturday, Schumer will pass legislation with only a simple majority, bypassing the filibuster rule that he needs his 60 votes in a 100-seat chamber to move most legislation forward. celebrated the House of Representatives' decision to recognize This will allow Democrats to pass it against Republican opposition.
The 755-page bill includes a minimum 15% tax on businesses and closing loopholes that the wealthy can use to avoid paying taxes. It will also fund the hiring of IRS officials to boost tax payments and impose a new excise tax on stock buybacks.
Before the Senate passed the bill, it faced potential battle over a Republican amendment to discourage immigrants from crossing the southwestern border with Mexico.
Republicans were also expected to try to repeal a Democrat provision that imposed a $35 monthly cap on burgeoning insulin costs.
The US pharmaceutical industry lobbied against an initiative that Republicans dismissed as dangerous government "price fixing." (Reporting by Richard Cowan, Editing by Robert Birse)