Senate parliamentarian clears way for Democrats to use reconciliation for infrastructure bill By Kathryn Watson, Grace Segers
April 6, 2021 / 9:07 AM / CBS News Biden defends infrastructure bill
Washington The Senate parliamentarian has advised that a revised budget resolution can include reconciliation instructions, opening a path for Democrats to pass spending legislation by a simple majority vote, an aide for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday. Budget reconciliation, a parliamentary procedure to bypass the two-thirds requirement for legislation, was used to pass President Biden s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan without any Republican support.
The determination could be key for Democrats on top issues in a 50-50 Senate. Schumer s spokesman called the parliamentarian s determination an important step forward that this key pathway is available to Democrats if needed.
Coronavirus: Six keys to understanding the new US stimulus package | USA elpais.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from elpais.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Updated
Feb 26, 2021
This is a devastating blow to the campaign to raise the minimum wage
Democrats’ push to pass a $15 minimum wage in their $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package violates Senate rules, according to the Senate’s parliamentarian, who delivered a likely fatal blow Friday to the effort to give tens of millions of workers a raise.
For weeks, Democrats have been waiting for a ruling from the Senate parliamentarian, who oversees Senate procedure, on whether they can raise the minimum wage through the budget reconciliation process, the legislative maneuver that will allow Democrats to pass legislation with a simple majority.