US House passes budget plan worth $3.5 trillion

A budget framework worth $3.5 trillion was approved by the United States House of Representatives on Tuesday. The landmark legislative step is likely to give room to the Democratic lawmakers for expanding the agendas set by President Joe Biden.

The budget framework, which passed with a thin margin of 220-212 in the lower legislative chamber, was voted upon after heavy negotiations between the Democrats and Republicans. However, the key push, which could have taken the framework towards either side, was provided by moderate lawmakers after the intervention of Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Tensions had flared as multiple moderate lawmakers previously threatened to not vote for the $3.5 trillion plan. The US legislators demanded that the House should first vote and pass a $1 trillion bipartisan package of other public works projects, which have already been approved in the Senate.

In brokering the compromise, Pelosi committed to voting on the bipartisan package no later than September 27, an attempt to assure lawmakers it won’t be left on the sidelines. It’s also in keeping with Pelosi’s insistence that the two bills move together as a more complete collection of Biden’s priorities. Pelosi has set a goal of passing both by October 1 this year.

While speaking about the budget framework, Pelosi said, “With regard to the $3.5 trillion topline number for this package, the President has been clear: this is the number that will honor his vision to Build Back Better”, according to reports from CNN.

She added, “This is the number that has been agreed to in the Senate and is now before us in the House. Accordingly, we will write a reconciliation bill with the Senate that is consistent with that topline.”

The budget framework has been one of the most contested matters between the Democrats and Republicans after Joe Biden took office earlier this year.