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WASHINGTON: The US Congress has approved a $3.5 trillion budget blueprint, setting the stage for Democrats to enact President Joe Biden’s ambitious economic agenda.
The rule allows Democrats, who narrowly control both chambers, to move ahead with key policy proposals.
Biden’s party hopes to devote significant resources to family support, health and climate schemes. It passed the House of Representatives 220-212, with no Republican support.
The resolution’s fate was unclear amid a standoff between progressive and centrist House Democrats.
The Democrats are enacting a process called budget reconciliation to approve Biden’s larger spending package – and passage of the budget blueprint is the first step.
A group of 10 moderate Democratic legislators had threatened to withhold votes on the blueprint unless the House first approved a $1trn bipartisan infrastructure bill.
That package includes funding for roads, bridges, the power grid, public transport and Internet.
To win a compromise after over 24 hours of debate, top House Democrats have assured moderates that the infrastructure bill will be discussed on 27 September, when the House is back in session.
“Passing this rule paves the way for the Building Back Better plan, which will forge legislative progress unseen in 50 years,” Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said ahead of the vote.
The top Democrat added that delays only threaten the economic plan and other bills.
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