Senate Democrats have agreed to press ahead with legislation worth $3.5tn in new government spending without Republican support in a bid to enact Joe Biden’s economic agenda before next year’s midterm elections.
The intraparty deal was sealed on Wednesday night after negotiations that involved both the most progressive lawmakers, including Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and moderate Democrats such as Mark Warner of Virginia. White House officials including Brian Deese, director of the National Economic Council, also participated in the talks.
The agreement could pave the way for Biden to secure congressional support for many of his multitrillion-dollar spending agenda that have faced Republican resistance, such as new investments in childcare and education, measures to combat climate change and an expansion of some government healthcare benefits for the elderly.