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Senate Democrats Announce $3.5 Trillion Budget Agreement

VOA News

   WASHINGTON - U.S. President Joe Biden heads to Capitol Hill on
   Wednesday to meet with Senate Democrats after the lawmakers announced
   an agreement on a $3.5 trillion plan to expand spending on health care
   for the elderly, climate change andprograms to help families,Senate
   Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

   The package would be "the biggest investment in the middle class in
   decades,"Schumer said on Tuesday.

   Senator Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, told reporters the plan
   included provisions that would fully cover the cost of the programs.

   While Warner did not specifyhow the measure would be paid for, Biden
   has pushed for raising taxes on the wealthy and corporations.

   Republicans in Congress oppose such tax increases, after having
   achieved a round of tax cuts--including to the corporate tax
   rate--during thepreviousadministration of President Donald Trump.

   In order forthe plan toproceed, it will need the support of the full
   50-member Democratic caucus.Democratic leaders want to pass a budget
   resolution that would providethe framework for the legislation before
   lawmakers leave town for their August recess.

   With Republicans not expected to support the measure, Democrats are
   likely to proceed undera special processknown asabudget reconciliation.
   That would allow the bill to advance with only a simple majorityand not
   be subject toa potential filibuster,amove by the minority Republicans
   to block or delay a vote.

   A budget resolution would allow Democrats to pass spending legislation
   later in the year, also with a simple majority,to fill out the
   specifics of theprograms.

   There is also ongoing negotiation on a separate, bipartisan$1.2
   trillioninfrastructure measure foritems such asroads, bridges, water
   systems and broadband internet.

   U.S. President Joe Biden heads to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to meet
   with Senate Democrats after the lawmakers announced an agreement on a
   $3.5 trillion plan to expand spending on health care for the elderly,
   climate change andprograms to help families,Senate Majority Leader
   Chuck Schumer said.

   The package would be "the biggest investment in the middle class in
   decades,"Schumer said on Tuesday.

   Senator Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, told reporters the plan
   included provisions that would fully cover the cost of the programs.

   While Warner did not specifyhow the measure would be paid for, Biden
   has pushed for raising taxes on the wealthy and corporations.

   Republicans in Congress oppose such tax increases, after having
   achieved a round of tax cuts--including to the corporate tax
   rate--during thepreviousadministration of President Donald Trump.

   In order forthe plan toproceed, it will need the support of the full
   50-member Democratic caucus.Democratic leaders want to pass a budget
   resolution that would providethe framework for the legislation before
   lawmakers leave town for their August recess.

   With Republicans not expected to support the measure, Democrats are
   likely to proceed undera special processknown asabudget reconciliation.
   That would allow the bill to advance with only a simple majorityand not
   be subject toa potential filibuster,amove by the minority Republicans
   to block or delay a vote.

   A budget resolution would allow Democrats to pass spending legislation
   later in the year, also with a simple majority,to fill out the
   specifics of theprograms.

   There is also ongoing negotiation on a separate, bipartisan$1.2
   trillioninfrastructure measure foritems such asroads, bridges, water
   systems and broadband internet.

   Some information for this report came from the Associated Press and
   Reuters.

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