Congress approves Biden’s major infrastructure package

The US House of Representatives approved a $1 trillion infrastructure program on Friday. The approval is a crucial breakthrough for President Joe Biden. That reports the AP news agency.

The House passed the package of investments in roads, bridges, public transportation, clean energy, water supplies and broadband internet Friday night (local time) by 228 votes to 206, after a months-long battle between moderate and progressive Democrats. Six Democratic MPs from the party’s left wing voted against, arguing that progressive priorities are not properly reflected in legislation; thirteen moderate Republicans voted for the package.

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Approval of the package, passed by the Senate three months ago, means Biden can sign the plans — a much-needed win for the president, who is battling declining popularity. Democrats are shocked by disappointing results in elections in several states earlier this week. They unexpectedly lost the governorship of Virginia and narrowly retained that of New Jersey, both states being friendly ground for their parties.

Those setbacks have instilled in both moderate and progressive Democrats the importance of moving forward with policy and demonstrating that they are capable of running the country. In the midterm elections in a year’s time, Democrats are in danger of losing their majority in the House of Representatives or the Senate – or in both houses of Congress.

Vote on social spending postponed

While the approval of the infrastructure program is a boost for Democrats, they also suffered a setback on Friday night: Voting on an even larger package of investments in social services in the fields of health care and climate measures, worth USD 1,850 billion, has been postponed. until later this month. Moderate party members demanded that the costs still be passed on by Congress’ independent audit office, the Congressional Budget Office.

That delay put an end to hopes that Biden could book a double win on Friday night. Moderate Democrats have pledged to support the package later if the CBO’s calculations match estimates already provided by the White House and Congressional tax analysts. That package is expected to be voted on in the week of November 15. If the House approves, it must also be approved by the Senate.

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