US Senate passes major US$430 billion bill to fight climate change, cut drugs costs
- After a 27-hour session of debate, and Republican efforts to derail the package, the ‘Inflation Reduction Act’ was approved by a 51-50 party line vote
- ‘The Senate is making history’ an elated Chuck Schumer said, after pumping his fists in the air as Democrats cheered and got a standing ovation
The US Senate on Sunday passed a sweeping US$430 billion bill intended to fight climate change, lower prescription medication 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.
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, with Vice-President Kamala Harris casting the tiebreaking 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.
“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 contains “the boldest clean energy package in American history” to fight climate change while reducing consumer costs for energy and some medicines.