Senate Democrats Vote 50-49 to Approve a $3.5 Trillion Budget Resolution

Also in the Senate, Democrats approved a $3.5 trillion dollar budget resolution with a vote of 50 to 49 early this morning just before 4 a.m. That bill will now move to the House of Representatives for a vote. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer sent a letter to colleagues yesterday saying the chamber planned to return the week of August 23rd to consider the resolution. Passage of the resolution by both chambers will unlock the ability for Democrats to use a process known as budget reconciliation to pass legislation on a party-line vote addressing health care, aid for families, the climate crisis and more.

Once it’s approved, Democrats will be able to draft the bill to be considered in the fall. Senators Kristen Sinema of Arizona and Joe Manchin of West Virginia have voiced their concerns about the bill’s price tag. In a statement this morning Manchin said “given the current state of the economic recovery, it is simply irresponsible to continue spending at levels more suited to respond to a great depression or great recession…not an economy that is on the verge of over-heating.” Simena has also said she does not support the bill’s cost but has signaled that she is willing to negotiate.