Senate parliamentary decision clears way for Democrats to use reconciliation for infrastructure bill



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the Member of the Senate said a revised budget resolution may include reconciliation instructions, paving the way for Democrats to pass spending legislation through a simple majority vote, an aide to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Monday . Budget reconciliation, a parliamentary procedure to bypass the two-thirds requirement of the legislation, was used to pass President Biden’s decision US $ 1.9 trillion bailout.

Determination could be key for Democrats on key issues in a 50-50 Senate. Schumer’s spokesperson called the parliamentarian’s determination “an important step forward to make this key path accessible to Democrats if necessary”.

“The parliamentarian indicated that a revised budget resolution could contain instructions for budget reconciliation. This confirms the leader’s interpretation of the budget law and gives Democrats additional tools to improve the lives of Americans if Republican obstruction persists.” , said the spokesperson for Schumer. “Although no decision has been taken on the legislative path to be taken using Article 304 and certain parameters have yet to be worked out, the parliamentarian’s opinion is an important step forward that this key path is available for Democrats if necessary.

The move paves the way for Democrats to use the reconciliation process for Mr. Biden’s $ 2 trillion infrastructure bill. Budget reconciliation is usually only allowed once a year, but Schumer had asked the parliamentarian to revise the current budget resolution to allow for another reconciliation process to pass the infrastructure package.

But Democrats still face an uphill battle to pass the bill. Moderate Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia told a radio host he would oppose the president’s 28% corporate tax hike to help foot the bill. Manchin said he would leverage his power in the equally divided Senate.

“If I don’t vote to participate, it’s not going anywhere,” Manchin insisted. “As the bill exists today, it must be changed.”

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