Senate Dems pass sweeping climate, health care measure

In a big win for President Joe Biden, Senate Democrats drove their election-year economic package to approval Sunday.

The passing Inflation Reduction Act was less than the president’s original $4 trillion proposal, but still a substantial compromise package made up of health care, climate change and deficit-reduction strategies, in hopes of tackling inflation and bringing down deficits. 

After a marathon, 27-hour weekend session of debate, Democrats held united, 51-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote.

“On this vote the yays are 50 the nays are 50. The Senate being equally divided the Vice President votes in the affirmative and the bill as amended is passed,” Harris said.

“Today, Senate Democrats sided with American families over special interests, voting to lower the cost of prescription drugs, health insurance, and everyday energy costs and reduce the deficit, while making the wealthiest corporations finally pay their fair share,” Biden, who ended his COVID-19 isolation, said in a statement after the bill’s passage.

“The House should pass this as soon as possible and I look forward to signing it into law,” he continued.