Sinema Backs Democrats’ Climate and Tax Bill, Paving Way for Senate Passage

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) reached a deal with fellow Democrats to support their climate, healthcare and tax bill.

With Sinema on board, Democrats have a clear path to passing the second half of President Joe Biden’s domestic agenda. Senate Democrats made concessions to secure Sinema’s support, including removing a new tax on private equity executives, adding a 1% tax on corporate stock buybacks and adding drought management funds for Sinema’s home state of Arizona. The bill still needs the approval of the Senate parliamentarian to qualify for budget reconciliation rules that would prevent Senate Republicans from blocking the bill. House Democrats plan to vote on the bill on Friday, August 12.

Republicans again signaled strong opposition to the bill. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said the upcoming “vote-a-rama” — an often hours-long session in which senators can offer amendments to the bill — would “be like hell.”

Coverage was prominently featured across the spectrum on Friday. While coverage in left-rated outlets often focused on Sinema directly — what The New Yorker (Left bias) called “The Kyrsten Sinema Watch Party” — coverage in right-rated outlets often criticized Sinema and the bill’s tax provisions. The homepage of Fox News (Right bias), for instance, was dominated by stories framing Sinema as “billionaires’ best friend” and suggesting proposed IRS funding would hurt lower-income Americans.