Senate Democrats approved a budget resolution providing for a $3.5 trillion spending package early Wednesday morning without the need for any Republican votes.
In a 50-49 vote, the measure passed after a series of amendment votes, known as “vote-a-rama,” that began on Tuesday afternoon and extended to about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. The passage of the resolution marks the beginning of deliberations between Democrats in both chambers to negotiate and draft the final bill for President Joe Biden‘s approval.
“The Democratic budget will be the most significant legislation for American families since the era of the New Deal and the Great Society. It is big, bold change. The kind of change America thirsts for,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said.
A summary of the resolution shows four major categories of investment: families, climate, healthcare, and infrastructure and jobs.
HOUSE DEMOCRATS WILL CUT AUGUST RECESS SHORT TO VOTE ON $3.5 TRILLION BUDGET
“We want to pay for it by making corporations and the wealthy finally pay their fair share,” Schumer added on Monday, responding to GOP criticism that the resolution’s price tag is too high.
Senators were adamant about leaving town for August recess after having lost several days due to deliberation over the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package, which passed hours before the budget vote.
The next move for Democrats in the Senate will see them and staffers on relevant committees using the recess to begin drafting sections of the large reconciliation bill. On Tuesday, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told lawmakers that they must return the week of Aug. 23, nearly a month earlier than planned.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Schumer has said he wants committees to submit their first drafts of the legislation by no later than Sept. 15.
