$3.5 trillion budget resolution approved by Senate Democrats as an essential step toward passing major economic package without GOP votes

A $3.5 trillion budget resolution was approved earlier this Wednesday morning by Senate Democrats after weeks and months of settling it.

The party comes up crafting and attempting a passed economic package that would expand the social safety net President Joe Biden has made for a signature agenda item without threatening a filibuster from Republicans who were opposed to it. The final vote was counted 50-49, and the measure passed after a series of amendment votes known as a “vote-a-rama,” which started on Tuesday afternoon and went until just before 4 a.m. ET.

The Democratic-controlled House must take up and pass a budget resolution. The Majority Leader Steny Hoyer sent a letter to associates this Tuesday saying the chamber planned to return the week of August 23 to consider the budget resolution.

Passage of the budget resolution by both chambers will unlock the ability for Democrats to utilize a process like a budget reconciliation to pass legislation on a party-line vote addressing health care, aid for families, the climate crisis, and more. Tuesday’s vote is only the first step in what will be a lengthy process.