Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) agreed Thursday night to “move forward”The Inflation Reduction Act is now open for debate, opening the door to a possible passage of the spending legislation if another Democrat doesn’t emerge. ‘
Sinema and fellow Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia were the party’s holdouts on the previous incarnation of the Biden administration’s larger “Build Back Better” bill. Manchin and Sinema were said to be troubled by that bill’s prospects of adding to rampant inflation. The Senate’s chances of passing something without their votes and with a strong GOP opposition seemed bleak.
However, Manchin decided to change his mind on the $739 billion bill earlier in the week. Sinema now has her wish fulfilled and has agreed that she will support the legislation. A 50-50 Senate vote would have handed the decision to Kamala Harris, who would probably agree.
“We have agreed to remove the carried interest tax provision, protect advanced manufacturing, and boost our clean energy in the Senate’s budget reconciliation legislation,”Sinema’s statement was read.
“Subject to the Parliamentarian’s review, I’ll move forward.”
Chuck Schumer (Senate Majority Leader), convinced Manchin that he would back the new version and released a statement in which he stated the new “agreement preserves the major components”You can also purchase the Spending Package.
The final version of the bill – which contains provisions on health care, funding the IRS, and climate initiatives – was expected to be introduced Saturday.