US Senate votes to start debating economic bill

A divided Senate voted to start debating the Democrats’ election-year economic bill, boosting the sprawling collection of President Joe Biden’s priorities on climate, energy, health and taxes past its initial test as it starts moving through Congress.

In a preview of votes expected on a mountain of amendments, united Democrats pushed the legislation through the evenly divided chamber by 51-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking the tie and overcoming unanimous Republican opposition.

The House, where Democrats have a slender majority, could give it final approval next Friday when lawmakers plan to return to Washington. The vote came after the Senate parliamentarian gave a thumbs-up to most of Democrats’ revised 755-page bill.