Top Democrats aim to strike a deal on Biden's social spending plan within hours

[brooklynite]

CNBC

Democrats moved Tuesday to put the final touches on a deal to invest up to $2 trillion in social programs and climate policy, as they try to cap a monthslong slog to pass their economic agenda.

After days of talks among House, Senate and White House officials, party leaders sounded more optimistic than ever about striking an agreement. Top Democrats acknowledged a handful of issues were unresolved, which could trip up the rush toward a deal and votes in the coming days.

“Most of that has been negotiated, most of it is ready to go,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, the No. 2 Democrat in the chamber, told reporters about the bill. “And we are just waiting for the last parts of the bill to be put together. We’re hopeful that that will be done in the next few hours, frankly.”

Earlier Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters that 90% of the safety net legislation is written. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who on Monday said his party had to resolve three or four outstanding issues, also sounded optimistic about reaching a deal.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Fingers crossed! n/t

[Budi]

2. K & R call the vote & see who, if any, Vote for Nothing.

Enough posturing for personal media headlines, & put their names on a Yes or No Vote.

[PoliticAverse]

3. "a handful of issues were unresolved" n/t

[brush]

4. Great. Keep us posted.

[empedocles]

5. FDR did not get the Social Security Act and NLRB [right to unionize]

until 1935 - and he didn't have the intra party problems that JB has.

The game playing has been costly for Joe.

[Hortensis]

6. Bet they're all glad too. At least it didn't take a 2-year battle

like the ACA, with the subsequent big thank-you from a "grateful" electorate who rewarded their achievement by replacing 63 Democratic house members with Republicans.

With any luck at all, the many progressive advances in this package will be valued as much as the ACA soon became, just before next November.

Seriously, I'm happy. Can't wait to learn all the things we've got and all we've got to build on.

[ColinC]

7. This will be incredible if it happens.

Fingers crossed!!!

[blogslug]

8. Ok, so, let me see if I understand the process

The Senate needs to approve and pass the bill via reconciliation. Then, that bill goes to the House. My question: Can the House alter the Senate's bill before voting or do they have to vote for it as it is?

[brooklynite]

9. No...

Budget Bills must originate in the House.

If the House and Senate vote for different Bills, they go to a Conference Committee for adjustment and then need to be approved again by both Chambers.

[blogslug]

10. But, wasn't this bill the one the House passed and sent to the Senate?

Or was that something else because, frankly, I'm bad at keeping up with all this.

[brooklynite]

11. The House hasn't passed anything...

The Senate has passed an infrastructure Bill.

[blogslug]

12. Cool

Told you I was bad at keeping up.

[honest.abe]

13. This sounds promising.

I think it's going to happen.