House Democrats passed on Friday a $739 billion climate change, tax hike, and healthcare bill, giving President Biden’s domestic agenda a boost at a time of record high inflation and low presidential job approval numbers.
In a 220-to-207 vote, the House voted along party lines to approve the legislation. Every single Democrat supported the bill in the face of opposition from all Republicans except three who did not vote.
“Today is really a glorious day for us,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “We send to the president’s desk a monumental bill that will be truly for the people.”
Republicans vehemently opposed the bill, arguing its provisions will worsen the U.S. economy and impose new burdens on American workers.
“Remember this day,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. “When Democrats jammed through a 700-page bill that raises your taxes and doubles the size of the IRS.”
The legislation, which has already passed the Senate, now heads to the president, who is expected to sign it shortly. Its passage represents a win for Biden, whose young White House tenure has been rocked by 40-year high inflation, recession, and sinking poll numbers.
“This bill reflects much of what we wanted to see – not everything we wanted to see – let me be clear on that, but it is a very significant step forward,” said House Majority leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md. “It will reduce the deficit, lower costs, and expand access to affordable health care, all while making the biggest investment in history to address the global climate crisis.”
Democrats began working on the bill shortly after Biden took office. Initially named Build Back Better, the legislation was proposed as an ambitious overhaul of the nation’s economy and climate infrastructure.