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Senate Democrats unveiled their $3.5 trillion budget resolution for social and environmental programs. The measure will fund health care, education, environmental programs, and family services.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says the budget resolution “will be the most significant legislation for American families since the era of the New Deal and the Great Society.”
“At its core, this legislation is about restoring the middle class in the 21st century and giving more Americans the opportunity to get there,” Schumer wrote in a letter to the caucus.
The resolution contains instructions for Senate and House committees to draw up policies in their jurisdiction, which will be cobbled together in the coming weeks into a filibuster-proof reconciliation bill.
The budget resolution will provide free education, tax breaks, and paid sick and family leave. Dental, hearing, and vision benefits will be included in Medicare coverage. Home health care, housing, and job training will receive funding under the resolution.
Through this initiative, the price of drugs will decrease, and millions of immigrants will be given citizenship.
Wealthy individuals and corporations will be subjected to a tax increase.
“Please remember that the resolution only includes ‘top-line’ reconciliation instructions to the committees, and that every Senator will have opportunities to shape and influence the final reconciliation bill after adoption of the Budget Resolution,” Schumer wrote.
Democrats will meet to review committee’s reconciliation legislation during the third week of September.
“Now is the time for bold action. Now is the time to restore faith in ordinary Americans that their government can work for them, and not just wealthy campaign contributors,” Senator Bernie Sanders said.
While the infrastructure bill beat a filibuster with the help of 18 Republicans, the reconciliation plan faces unanimous GOP opposition. Budget rules, however, allow for it to be passed with a simple majority, meaning that Democrats can push it through on party-line votes as long as their caucus stays united.
