- Senate negotiators are nearing an agreement on a framework for a $2 trillion budget reconciliation package. However, a handful of issues – including disagreements over expanding Medicare benefits, empowering the federal government to negotiate lower drug prices, and a plan to tax billionaires – still need to be resolved. Vulnerable House Democrats are urging leadership not to alter the provision to allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug price, noting that that voters strongly support the issue. Meanwhile, Senator Joe Manchin expressed skepticism of Democrats wealth tax, which would tax people with at least $1 billion in net worth or $100 million in annual income each year on the increase in the value of many of their assets. (Articles here, here, here, here, and here)
October 28, 2021
D.C. News