Senate passes sweeping climate and health plan, victory for Biden
The leader of the Senate Democrats Chuck Schumer gives a thumbs up in victory after leaving the chamber following the vote, August 7, 2022. Getty Images via AFP - DREW ANGERER
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After 18 months of negotiations and a marathon night of debates, the US Senate adopted Joe Biden's big plan on climate and health on Sunday August 7, offering a significant milestone victory for the president, less than 100 days away. crucial elections.
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By their votes alone, the Democrats have approved this plan of more than 430 billion dollars of investments, which takes the road to the House of Representatives for a final vote next week, before being signed into law by Joe Biden.
“
This bill will change America for decades to come
,” assured the leader of the Senate Democrats Chuck Schumer, his voice quavering just after the vote, greeted by thunderous applause in his camp.
All Republican senators voted against the text, dubbed the “Inflation Reduction Act”, and which they accuse on the contrary of generating unnecessary public spending.
Difficult discussions
The result of difficult negotiations with the right wing of the Democratic Party, this envelope includes the largest investment ever committed in the United States for the climate - 370 billion dollars to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% of here in 2030.
“
A lot of compromises had to be made.
Doing important things almost always requires it
, ”said Joe Biden in a press release, welcoming the passage of the bill in the Senate and urging the House of Representatives to adopt the text without delay.
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To read also: United States: Joe Biden's health and climate investment plan debated in the Senate
With this reform, an American will receive up to 7,500 dollars in tax credits for the purchase of an electric car.
The installation of solar panels on its roof will be covered at 30%.
This reform must also make it possible to strengthen the resilience of the forests in the face of the monster fires which are ravaging the American West and whose multiplication has been directly attributed to global warming.
64 billion for health
The text provides for 64 billion dollars of investment in health and the gradual reduction in the price of certain drugs, which can be up to ten times more expensive than in other rich countries.
But progressives had to abandon their ambitions of free public kindergartens and universities and better care for the elderly.
In parallel with these massive investments, the bill intends to reduce the public deficit with a new minimum tax of 15% for all companies whose profits exceed one billion dollars.
It aims to prevent certain large companies from using the tax loopholes which have allowed them to pay far less than the theoretical rate.
Several billion dollars in tax credits will also be offered to the most polluting industries in order to assist them in their energy transition, a measure strongly criticized by the left wing of the party, which had to line up behind this text, for lack of reaching a more ambitious agreement.
(with AFP)
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United States
Climate
Health and medicine
Joe Biden