Senate Dems reveal $3.5 trillion plan to invest in health care, climate change - do you support it?

By Josh Herman, Countable News

What's the story?

• Senate Democratic leaders have agreed to advance a $3.5 trillion spending plan to enact most of Biden’s social welfare and family aid agenda without Republican votes.
• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said the package would be in addition to the $579 billion in new spending in the bipartisan infrastructure agreement.

"If we pass this, this is the most profound change to help American families in generations," said Schumer.

What's in the plan?

• Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) had been pushing a $6 trillion measure that added an expansion of Medicare, immigration reform, and an increase in childcare benefits.
• Despite getting trillions less than his original request, Sanders said the agreement is a “big deal” when it comes to “transforming our infrastructure.” The current agreement would expand Medicare to include new benefits like dental, vision, and hearing coverage.
• The party-line package is also expected to include Biden’s proposal for two years of free community college, paid leave, extending the boosted child tax credit, and helping families cover child care costs. 
• The deal would also include major funding for clean energy.
• "This is, in our view, a pivotal moment in American history," Sanders said.

"What this legislation says among many, many other things is that those days are gone. The wealthy and large corporations are going to start paying their fair share of taxes, so that we can protect the working families in this country."

• Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), a moderate, said the plan would be "fully paid for" through large business and individual tax increases.

(Photo Credit: Creative Commons)