. Earth Science News .
CLIMATE SCIENCE
US Senate adopts sweeping climate and health plan, in major victory for Biden
By Camille CAMDESSUS
Washington (AFP) Aug 7, 2022

After 18 months of arduous negotiations and a marathon night of debate, the US Senate on Sunday passed Joe Biden's ambitious climate, tax and health care plan -- a significant victory for the president ahead of crucial midterm elections.

Voting as a unified bloc and with the tie-breaking vote cast by Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats approved the $430-billion spending plan, which will go to the House of Representatives next week, where it is expected to pass before being signed into law by Biden.

The plan, crafted in sensitive talks with members on the right wing of his Democratic Party, would include the biggest US investment ever on climate -- $370 billion aimed at effecting a 40 percent drop in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

That would give Biden a clear victory on one of his top agenda items and go some way toward restoring US leadership in meeting the global climate challenge.

Biden hailed the passage of the bill, highlighting the work that went into it -- and acknowledging that not everyone is happy with the final result.

"It required many compromises. Doing important things almost always does. The House should pass this as soon as possible and I look forward to signing it into law," the president said in a statement.

The bill -- officially known as the "Inflation Reduction Act" -- passed the Senate with no Republicans voting in favor.

Conservative lawmakers have criticized the bill as wasteful spending, with top Republican Senator Mitch McConnell accusing Democrats of voting to "double down on their economic disaster."

- 'Change America for decades' -

The bill would provide Americans with a tax credit of up to $7,500 when purchasing an electric car, plus a 30 percent discount when they install solar panels on their roofs.

But the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a group representing major automakers, on Sunday said that most cars would not meet the bill's electric vehicle tax credit requirements, calling it a "missed opportunity."

The legislation would also provide millions to help protect and conserve forests -- which have been increasingly ravaged in recent years by wildfires during record heat waves that scientists say are linked to global warming.

Billions of dollars in tax credits would also go to some of the country's worst-polluting industries to help their transition to greener methods -- a measure bitterly opposed by some liberal Democrats who have, however, accepted this as a least-bad alternative after months of frustration.

Biden, who came to office with promises of sweeping reforms, has seen his hopes dashed, then revived, then dashed again.

Democrats' narrow edge in the Senate has given a virtual veto to moderates such as Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who earlier had used that power to block Biden's much more expansive Build Back Better plan.

But in late July, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer managed to engineer a compromise with the West Virginian, whose state's economy depends heavily on coal mining.

"This bill is gonna change America for decades," Schumer said after its passage, while Manchin tweeted that it "will lower the inflation taxes that have been so hurtful for West Virginian and American families."

- 'Vote-a-rama' -

Senators finally opened debate on the text on Saturday, with final passage not until Sunday afternoon.

Late Saturday, they began working through a marathon procedure known as a "vote-a-rama," in which members can propose dozens of amendments and demand a vote on each one.

That allowed both Republicans, who view Biden's plan as too costly, and liberal Democrats, who say it does not reach far enough, to make their opposition clear.

Influential progressive Senator Bernie Sanders used that platform through the evening to propose several amendments aimed at strengthening social planks in the legislation, which were considerably weakened during the months of negotiation.

The bill would provide $64 billion for health care initiatives and ensure a lowering of some drug costs -- which can be 10 times more expensive in the United States than in some other rich countries.

But progressive Democrats long ago had to give up their ambitions for free preschool and community colleges and expanded health care for the elderly.

"Millions of seniors will continue to have rotten teeth and lack the dentures, hearing aids or eyeglasses that they deserve," Sanders said from the Senate floor. "This bill, as currently written, does nothing to address it."

But fellow Democrats, eager to pass the legislation ahead of November midterms when control of Congress is at stake, have rejected any change in the text.

To help offset the plan's massive spending, it would reduce the US deficit through a new 15-percent minimum tax on companies with profits of $1 billion or more -- a move targeting some that now pay far less.

That measure could generate more than $258 billion in tax receipts for the government over the next 10 years, by some estimates.


Related Links
Climate Science News - Modeling, Mitigation Adaptation


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


CLIMATE SCIENCE
US Senate to begin debating Biden's climate and health bill
Washington (AFP) Aug 5, 2022
The US Senate this weekend will begin debating a major health and climate investment bill, Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday, expressing confidence that it will be passed. The bill, a trimmed version of President Joe Biden's campaign promise, earmarks nearly $370 billion for clean energy projects and climate initiatives, as well as $64 billion to provide secure subsidies for medical coverage and reduced drug prices. "I expect we will have some late nights and extended debates here on ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

CLIMATE SCIENCE
Climate, poverty collude to torment Central America

Suspended sediment reduced by rapid revegetation after Fukushima decontamination

Mexico unveils drought plan for industrial hub

'Life-saving' peanut paste unlikely victim of Ukraine war

CLIMATE SCIENCE
A better way to quantify radiation damage in materials

Magnetic quantum material helps probe next-gen information technologies

Engineers repurpose photography technique to make stretchy, color-changing films

Scientists have created optical fibers with unusual properties

CLIMATE SCIENCE
Making hydropower plants more sustainable

China vlogger who ate great white shark under investigation

Brussels urges EU members to reuse city water in farms

Mexico wants to reduce beer production in drought-hit areas

CLIMATE SCIENCE
Lowest July Antarctic sea ice on record: monitor

Ancient ice ages shapes how seagrasses respond to environmental threats

Mountain melt shutters classic Alpine routes

Thaw and redraw: melting glacier moves Italian-Swiss border

CLIMATE SCIENCE
More Ukraine grain sets sail as new strike hits nuclear site

Driest July in memory imperils Europe's crops

UK's Waitrose to scrap 'best before' date on fresh products

Yemen's ancient honey production a victim of war, climate change

CLIMATE SCIENCE
South Korea flooding death toll rises to nine

'Indescribable': the heat and roar of Iceland's volcano as spectators flock to watch

Record rainfall, flooding in Seoul kill seven

Deja vu as volcano erupts again near Iceland capital

CLIMATE SCIENCE
S.Sudan extends transitional govt by two years

US not trying to 'outdo' world powers in Africa, says Blinken

Burkina army says civilians killed in air raid

US says new Africa strategy will engage leaders, rethink military role

CLIMATE SCIENCE
Communication makes hunting easier for chimpanzees

China faces new demographic challenges

Taking your time makes a difference in Neanderthal times

China population to begin shrinking by 2025: officials









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.