Divided House debates Dems' expansive social, climate bill
ABC News
A divided House is debating Democrats’ expansive social and environment bill
WASHINGTON -- A divided House finally launched debate Thursday on Democrats' expansive social and environment bill, with party leaders hoping that cost estimates expected from Congress' top fiscal analyst would nail down moderate lawmakers' votes and allow passage by week's end.
Two weeks after centrists' objections forced Democrats to delay the measure, the bill began moving amid optimistic signs from leaders and lawmakers that their divisions were all but resolved — for now. Facing uniform Republican opposition, Democrats can lose no more than three votes to prevail in the House.
The package, a top priority for President Joe Biden, would bolster child care assistance, create free preschool, curb seniors' prescription drug costs and beef up efforts to slow climate change.
Biden and other Democratic leaders have said the 10-year, $1.85 trillion measure would pay for itself, largely through tax increases on the wealthy, big corporations and companies doing business abroad.
