US Senate Democrats took their first step toward passing a $3.5 trillion spending plan early Wednesday as the party forges ahead with a massive economic agenda.

 

After more than 14 hours of votes on amendments, the Democratic-held chamber voted to pass a budget resolution 50-49 along party lines. The measure directs committees to craft a bill that would spend up to $3.5 trillion on climate initiatives, paid leave, childcare, education and health care.

 

It marks the first step in the budget reconciliation process, which will allow Democrats to approve their plan without a Republican vote in the Senate split 50-50 by party. The GOP has united against the proposal and the tax increases on corporations and wealthy individuals that Democrats plan to use to pay for it.

 

The vote for the resolution follows Senate passage of a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill this week which includes $550 billion in direct transportation funding. The infrastructure bill got overwhelming bipartisan approval on Tuesday to a $1 trillion infrastructure bill to rebuild the nation’s deteriorating roads and bridges and fund new climate resilience and broadband initiatives.

 

Click here to read an IFCA breakdown of the US Senate Transportation/Infrastructure Bill.