The U.S. House of Representatives voted 220 to 207 to pass a bill that includes President Biden’s priorities on taxation, climate change and drug prices. The Democrats continued to fight within the party over the bill, but it passed Congress in a reduced form. It will be a foundational achievement for the party in its campaign for the midterm elections in November.
President Bidentwittersaid he plans to sign the bill next week.
The Senate voted on the bill on Wednesday, and Vice President Harris passed it with the casting vote after an equal number of votes for and against.
The bill, which included measures to combat climate change, medical assistance, and relief from drought damage, was ultimately worth about $437 billion (about 58 trillion yen).
However, it is unclear whether the bill will help Democrats retain a majority in the House of Representatives. Democrats hope voters will mobilize for one of the biggest climate-change bills in U.S. history, and that seniors will welcome lower drug prices.
Although Democrats dubbed the bill an “inflation control bill,” some independent research institutes predict that it will have limited inflation control. Penn Wharton’s latest projections will keep inflation under 0.1 percentage points over the next five years, with no effect after 2028.
Original title:
House Sends Biden Landmark Tax, Climate, Health Bill to Sign(excerpt)