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Democrats had reluctantly dropped a scaled-back leave program to meet budget constraints, but Rep. Richard Neal, the Democratic chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, announced that the committee had agreed on a compromise that fully pays for a “means-tested program.”
“The Ways and Means Committee crafted a policy that will finally give workers and their families the peace of mind of knowing that when disaster strikes, they can rely on paid leave to avoid total crisis,” Neal said.
The inclusion of paid family leave comes as Democrats attempt to craft a final package that can pass both chambers…
Democrats are rushing to overcome party battles and finish a final draft of Biden’s plan. Pelosi had hoped to wrap up the draft and pave the way for voting as soon as Thursday on the overall package, according to her remarks at a closed-door caucus meeting.
Fingers are pointing all around as negotiations over Biden’s ambitious package have dragged on, with Democrats unable to pass the bill.
“I think what most people think: The situation is like, ‘Okay, we elected Democrats to have the majority in the House, the Senate and the presidency. They should be getting things done,”’ Democratic Rep. Elaine Luria, who represents a swing district in Virginia, told reporters at the Capitol…
With Republicans staunchly opposed and no votes to spare, Democrats have been trying to unite progressive and centrist lawmakers around Biden’s vision.
The $1.75 trillion package would provide large numbers of Americans with assistance to pay for health care, education, raising children and caring for elderly people in their homes.
It also would provide some $555 billion in tax breaks encouraging cleaner energy and electrified vehicles, the nation’s largest commitment to tackling climate change.
Much of its costs would be covered with higher taxes on people earning over $10 million annually and large corporations, which would now face a 15% minimum tax in efforts to stop big business from claiming so many deductions they end up paying zero in taxes.
Some moderate Democrats in the House said they want to see the final assessment from the Congressional Budget Office on its entire budgetary costs, before taking the vote.
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