Democrats move toward vote on Biden social welfare and climate bill

House Democrats were preparing on Thursday evening to advance President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better plan, a $1.85 trillion social welfare spending bill they hope will help revive party approval ratings by providing a new array of government services and subsidies.

Democrats moved to vote on a procedural measure to advance the bill, clearing the way to final House passage. The effort came after the Congressional Budget Office issued a long-awaited final analysis of the legislation that found it would add to federal deficits but nevertheless was favorable enough for the White House to make the case that the bill is fiscally responsible.