US: Senate Democrats clear first hurdle on healthcare, climate bills

Washington:  US Senate Democrats advanced their long-delayed health care, tax and climate bill following months of uncertainty over whether the major legislation could be passed before the November mid-term elections.
The Senate voted on Saturday along party lines, 50-50, to start debate on the measure, with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking the tie as President of the Senate, reports dpa news agency.
Democrats are passing the bill using a procedure called reconciliation, which doesn’t allow for a Republican filibuster.
“This is one of the most comprehensive and impactful bills Congress has seen in decades,” said Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer.
“It will reduce inflation. It will lower prescription drug costs. It will fight climate change. It will close tax loopholes and it will reduce the deficit. It will help every citizen in this country and make America a much better place.” Also Read Three dead in bomb blast on second day of attacks in Kabul The bill would allow the federal government to begin to negotiate drug prices in Medicare, albeit slowly, and would create incentives and grants to combat the climate crisis, two major political priorities that Democrats are hoping to run on this fall.