Senate passes budget resolution, setting stage for Democrats' $3.5 trillion package

Washington — The Senate passed a budget resolution early Wednesday that lays the groundwork for Democrats' massive $3.5 trillion spending package, capping a flurry of activity just hours after senators approved a separate $1 trillion infrastructure bill. 

The Senate passed the resolution on a party line vote of 50-49. The measure serves as the blueprint for President Biden's social spending agenda, and will include funds to combat climate change, establish child care programs, expand Medicare and provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. The budget resolution represents the second track of a two-track system to pass infrastructure spending that was outlined by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Schumer was adamant that the Senate pass both the bipartisan bill and a budget resolution before lawmakers left Washington for their August recess.