Parliamentary gives Democrats a new potential tool for early decision reconciliation

Parliamentary gives Democrats a new potential tool for early decision reconciliation

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The decision is an important step for Democrats as they evaluate their options for moving infrastructure legislation, potentially giving them a way to pass new legislation without Republican votes. It is important to note, however, that some details have yet to be settled with the congressman, and it was unclear whether it could be used to approve President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan.
The infrastructure plan – the White House’s next big legislative push – drew swift reaction from Republicans, who argued that it is too expensive and encompasses openly partisan programs. The immediate confrontation along the lines of the party prompted Democrats to explore a review of the same mysterious budgeting process they used to approve Covid de Biden’s aid package without any Republican support, even before the president formally revealed his proposal last week .

Senate majority leader spokesman Chuck Schumer told CNN in a statement on Monday that “the congressman reported that a revised budget resolution may contain budgetary reconciliation instructions. This confirms the leader’s interpretation of the Bill of Rights. Budget and allows Democrats additional tools to improve Americans’ lives if Republican obstruction continues. ”

“Although no decision has been made on a legislative path using Section 304 and some parameters still need to be worked out, the parliamentarian’s opinion is an important step in making this key path available to Democrats, if necessary,” said the spokesman. Justin Goodman voice.

A Democratic Senate aide familiar with the congressman’s decision told CNN on Monday that “there is no doubt that it is good news”, but warned that there will likely be more decisions before Democrats can move forward using the reconciliation process. to improve the infrastructure of the flat president. “But there is still a lot that needs to be resolved,” said the aide. “This was just the opening rally for what will be a long and complicated process.”

Democrats used the divisive procedural tool to approve Covid de Biden’s $ 1.9 trillion relief plan last month, allowing lawmakers to bypass the 60-vote limit normally required to break the obstruction and bring the legislation forward. forward.

The reconciliation process was established as part of the Congressional Budget Law of 1974 to make it faster and easier to pass legislation related to spending, taxes and debt, because the debate on projects is limited to 20 hours and can be approved by simple majority of votes.

Still, Biden said he would invite Republicans to the Oval Office at the White House and hear his ideas on his proposed infrastructure. “The divisions of the moment should not prevent us from doing the right thing for the future,” he said in a speech revealing his plan last week.

The president noted that infrastructure has historically been a bipartisan enterprise, but the question of how to pay for the proposal is where negotiations on Capitol Hill are likely to get complicated.

Manchin warns that Biden's infrastructure project faces problems with raising corporate taxes
Called “The American Employment Plan”, Biden’s proposal would invest heavily in rebuilding the country’s decaying infrastructure and moving to greener energy over the next eight years. The president plans to pay for his proposal by raising corporate taxes and eliminating tax incentives for fossil fuels, which was one of his main campaign promises.

The White House says this tax increase would raise more than $ 2 trillion over the next 15 years.

Senator Joe Manchin, an influential West Virginia Democrat, warned on Monday that the Biden package cannot be approved in its current form because he and a handful of other Senate Democrats believe the proposed corporate tax hikes in the bill – designed to offset its costs – are very high.

“As the project exists today, it needs to be changed,” he told West Virginia Metro News presenter Hoppy Kercheval in a radio interview.

Senator Ron Wyden, Democrat of Oregon and chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said in a statement on Monday: “I am pleased with the congressman’s decision that budget resolutions can be revised, which allows us to consider moving projects through the reconciliation process. “

“The American people want bold action to address our country’s many challenges, and Democrats now have more options to overcome Republican obstruction and make things happen.”

This story was updated with additional information Monday.

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