What is in the $2trillion bill?
THE US House of Representatives approved the nearly $2trillion bill on November 19 to combat climate change and expand social benefits.
House Representatives made the decision after an 8 hour and 32-minute speech by House Speaker Republican Kevin McCarthy.
What is the Social Policy and Climate Change spending bill?
The Build Back Better bill is the largest amount of funding assistance to child care assistance in history and will enhance Medicare benefits and provide incentives to Americans who purchase electric cars.
The bill's approval will also allocate $550billion in an effort to take action against climate change.
This bill will be the most progressive in US history as it attempts to take drastic action to combat climate change significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is aimed to be cut by half by 2030 and the bill would aim to cut emissions to reach net-zero by the mid-century.
The social policy and climate change bill will be paid for by an added surtax to wealthy Americans and large corporations.
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How did Republicans try to delay passing the bill?
McCarthy's lengthy speech was intended to delay Democrats from approving the bill that will set aside funds to assist families and businesses, and workers.
He set a record for the longest speech in modern memory dating back to 1909 and surpassed Nancy Pelosi's previous record in 2018 of just over eight hours.
McCarthy fought against the Build Back Better bill but strayed into other territories including China and security at the border.
"Never in American history has so much been spent at one time," he said during his speech.
"Never in American history will so many taxes be raised and so much borrowing be needed to pay for all this reckless spending."
The House adjourned at 5.10am when McCarthy concluded his overnight speech, and reassembled at 8am to vote on the bill.
Democrats still have a fight ahead of them as the bill passes to the Senate where Republicans may push back against approval.
What was the response after the Build Back Better bill was passed?
issued a statement after the House passed the bill and said, "(The bill) is another giant step forward in carrying out my economic plan to create jobs, reduce costs, make our country more competitive, and give working people and the middle class a fighting chance."
Democratic House Speaker said, "We have the Built Back Better bill that is historic, transformative, and larger than anything we have ever done before.
"If you're a parent, a senior, a child, a worker, if you are an American...this bill's for you and it is better."
The approval came only two weeks after the House approved the historic $2trillion infrastructure bill to improve the nation's roads, bridges, and ports.
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The social policy and climate change spending bill was approved with a majority of 220 to 213.
What measures does the bill include?
- $550million dedicated to combat global climate change
- Medicaid expansions and a reduction for health care premiums
- Funds allocated to extend the child tax credit through 2022
- Four weeks of paid medical and family leave
- $150billion toward affordable housing and housing assistance
- A monthly cap of $35 for insulin expenses
- Universal pre-k funding for children ages 3-4 years old
- Cap out-of-pocket spending for seniors at $2,000 every year
- Medicare parts A and D will be able to negotiate medication costs for certain drugs directly with the drug manufactures
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