A huge investment in the American economy to, among other things, combat climate change and reduce the consequences of inflation is another step closer. All 50 Democratic senators approved a bill to this effect Saturday (local time). This means that the Senate can now debate the investments of several hundred billion dollars.
As expected, all 50 Republican senators voted against the billion-dollar investment, which will lead to tax increases, among other things. Vice President Kamala Harris, however, gave the casting vote. The debates started immediately after the vote.
The vote had significant symbolic value, as the plans had not been supported by all Democrats until last week. Senator Kyrsten Sinema was the last Democrat to approve the plans on Thursday. She first wanted several points in the plan to be changed. Senator Joe Manchin and Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer also opposed.
US President Joe Biden calls it “the largest investment in history to fight climate change” and says the plans will, among other things, create jobs in the United States and help reduce energy costs for Americans. The bill is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030, according to Democrats.