What's in the $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill?
Medicare expansion:
This heavily debated provision would expand Medicare to include coverage of dental, hearing and vision services.
Two free years of community college:
The legislation currently provides two years of free community college for all students, regardless of family income. It is anticipated to cost $108 billion. But it's possible community college could be cut from the legislation, as Democrats try to decrease the total size of the package.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 11 | October 21, 2021 6:47 PM
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Child care and universal pre-K
Every family that applies will be offered child care assistance for children ages 0 to 5. In all, the plan allocates roughly $450 billion to lower the cost of child care and provide two years of universal pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds, according to the House Education and Labor Committee.
The panel estimated that this proposal would keep the cost of child care at or below 7% of most families' income.
by Anonymous | reply 1 | October 21, 2021 12:17 AM
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Extended child tax credit
Democrats expanded the child tax credit for 2021 in their $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan, and now want to extend it through 2025.
Under the enhancement, families receive $3,600 per child under age 6, and $3,000 per child age 6 - 18. Most families receive monthly payments of either $250 or $300 per child.
The full expanded child tax credit is available to individuals making up to $75,000 or married couples making up to $150,000.
by Anonymous | reply 2 | October 21, 2021 12:17 AM
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Cut prescription drug prices
Another key provision in the bill is aimed at helping to slash prescription drug prices. Americans on average pay two to three times as much as people in other countries for prescription drugs, according to the White House. Among other things, the legislation allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices. Medicare is currently prohibited by law from negotiating for the best deal.
Paid family and medical leave
For the first time in history, the U.S. would have comprehensive paid family and medical leave. But a source familiar with Mr. Biden's meeting with progressives on October 19 said paid family leave could be cut from 12 weeks to four weeks. The legislation would replace at least two-thirds of earnings, up to $4,000 per month, while the lowest-paid workers would receive 80% of their income.
by Anonymous | reply 3 | October 21, 2021 12:18 AM
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Climate change
Combating climate change and slowing the rate at which Earth warms will mean transitioning away from fossil fuels, the major source of greenhouse gas emissions.
One provision that Manchin has objected to is the $150 billion "clean electricity performance program," which would pay utility companies that increase their renewable energy supplies by 4% per year. Companies that do not hit this benchmark would face financial penalties. The bill also provides significant funding for forest management and other wildfire control measures.
There are also measures to incentivize the buying of electric vehicles and the construction of charging stations; consumer rebates to homeowners who weatherfit their houses; and financial penalties for oil and gas producers for methane leaks, among other things.
by Anonymous | reply 4 | October 21, 2021 12:18 AM
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Lesser-known provisions:
The massive bill has a slew of lesser-known provisions as well.
For instance, the bill would authorize $5 million a year for the Small Business Administration for an entrepreneurial program for formerly incarcerated individuals.
The bill also directs $2.5 billion for the Justice Department to award competitive grants or contracts to local governments, community-based organizations and other groups to support intervention strategies to reduce community violence.
by Anonymous | reply 5 | October 21, 2021 12:19 AM
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When it comes to
[quote] Two free years of community college:
Has any school district ever experimented with running their own free community college for students who graduate from the district's high schools?
by Anonymous | reply 6 | October 21, 2021 12:32 AM
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I feel like this is one month’s pentagon budget.
by Anonymous | reply 7 | October 21, 2021 12:40 AM
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Democrats aren't trying to reduce the bill, DINOs are.
by Anonymous | reply 10 | October 21, 2021 6:47 PM
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