House Passes Biden's $1.9T Spending Bill
Summary from the AllSides News Team
A divided House of Representatives voted along party lines Friday morning to pass President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion Build Back Better spending plan.
The 220-213 vote advances the bill to the Senate. Rep. Jared Golden (Maine) was the only Democrat to vote against it. A record-breaking speech from House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) Thursday night delayed the vote; McCarthy criticized the spending plan and other aspects of Biden's administration and agenda in an oration that lasted over eight hours. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) described the plan as "historic, transformative, and larger than anything we have ever done" ahead of Friday's vote, which followed months of partisan haggling and conflict between moderate and progressive Democrats that led to the plan being shaved down from Biden's initial $3.5 trillion proposal. Democrats maintain that the bill's costs will be totally offset by tax increases for wealthy people and other measures. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the plan will add $367 billion to the national deficit.
The news was covered prominently across the spectrum Friday. Right-rated outlets often framed it as excessive and potentially disastrous for America's economic future. Left-rated outlets tended to highlight praise of the plan from Biden, Democrats and others.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Right
House passes expensive social spending bill that now faces big Senate hurdles
The House of Representatives on Friday passed President Joe Biden’s $1.85 trillion Build Back Better Act, sending the measure to the Senate, where major hurdles could significantly change, or even halt, the legislation.
The vote came much later than intended.
Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, the top House Republican, stopped Democrats from passing the bill as they intended on Thursday when he commandeered the floor with a speech lasting more than eight hours in which he denounced the spending legislation along with the entire Democratic agenda.
From the Left
House passes Biden's massive spending bill
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other top House Democrats spoke to reporters after voting to pass President Biden's sweeping spending bill.
"Today, we had the honor of participating in passing legislation for the people to build back better. As I always say, with women, for the children," Pelosi said.
She lauded Biden, saying that while the infrastructure bill was "was very, very important," it "was not the sum total of his vision."
Pelosi said she is most excited about family medical leave in this legislation.
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer called the Build Back Better Act a "historic piece of...
From the Center
US House votes to pass $1.9tn social spending plan
The US House of Representatives has passed US President Joe Biden's $1.9tn (£1.4tn) Build Back Better Act after facing fierce opposition from Republicans.
The sweeping social spending and climate package is considered a key pillar of Mr Biden's agenda.
The vote came after a record-long speech from House minority leader Kevin McCarthy to delay the vote.
The legislation now faces significant hurdles as it heads to the US Senate.
The Build Back Better Act would expand Medicare, lower prescription drug costs and includes funding for universal pre-kindergarten and subsidies for...
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