Senate budget debate day 2 recap
The original bottom line of this budget is $61.32 billion, and senators have been considering 1,058 amendments that would add at least $2 billion more.
During Wednesday's debates, senators dealt with more than 300 of these amendments.
Senators chose to add funding for reduced fares for students on public transportation, regional libraries, a jail diversion program, and pediatric palliative care.
The proceedings also included a rare real debate, instead of just pre-written remarks. Senators argued back and forth for 90 minutes on prescription drug price caps, which ultimately passed. Opponents expressed worries about passing the policy-heavy amendment without public hearings.
Westfield Senator John Velis took the floor to change a policy that ends benefits for Gold-Star spouses should they remarry.
The Senate president says the amendment is common sense. 'It makes no sense, we changed that so the surviving spouse can keep the benefits. That's important to families,' said Senate President Karen Spilka.
Senators still need to make a decision on 156 amendments,142 of which were filed by Republicans, and the vast majority of which were filed by minority leader Bruce Tarr. Once the remaining 156 amendments are settled, the House and Senate will need to reconcile their differences and send a compromise budget to the governor's desk.
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- Buzz Feed
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If there is anything Democrats and Republicans seem to agree on, it's that they believe files related to the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein should be released to the public, and justice be sought for his victims. Despite this, House Speaker Mike Johnson decided to cancel upcoming votes and send lawmakers home until Sept. 2 — all in an apparent effort to block a vote on the release of files related to Epstein. His reason? Johnson said it's to protect Epstein's victims: Meanwhile, when asked whether the president or his administration requested this delay, Johnson said in a press conference: "No. But as you all know, I speak to the president multiple times a day on a typical day. Often. Always... He agrees with everything I've said here today." Well! People on the left and right have a lot of thoughts. Here's what they're saying: "Maybe trump was right about 'the last time we'll ever have to vote again.' 'We the people' have representatives in the house that will not be able to vote on our behalf... No more voting. Promises kept." "Republicans in the House (and Senate) are and have been operating out of fear. Fear of one man. ONE MAN!. Republicans are letting trump break federal laws. Laws Congress passed. In 6 months trump has created more than enough evidence to be removed from office. But republicans are scared to sound off on it. And the Senate approving trumps cabinet picks? They all work for trump, not The People." "So they're delaying and hoping it all goes away. They are banking on the public having the attention span of a gnat and while that [is a] good bet this has been a critical rallying point for the Maga right." "They have determined that….: - OPENLY WORKING TO HIDE THE EPSTEIN INFORMATION IS LESS DAMAGING TO THEM THAN LETTING THE PUBLIC SEE THE FILES." "What's that word this administration likes to throw around? Oh yeah, TRANSPARENCY 🤭" "Explain to me like I'm 5: Why are our tax dollars going to them if they don't work? I've worked in HR for over 10yrs and, for an administration that claims to run government like a business, these individuals would have been termed years ago for gross mismanagement." "Is it a bad thing for Trump that [his] closest supporter in the House called a five week recess, just to block the release of the files? If the information exonerates him, would they let the information out as quickly as they could?" "The supposed party of 'family values' will even protect a potential pedophile. Trump once famously stated.... 'I could shoot someone in the the middle of 5th Avenue, and they would still support me'. I used to think that was a ridiculous claim, but I now believe it to be 100% true. There is clearly nothing Trump could do to alienate his base. They are that brainwashed." 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