KEY POINTS
  • The Senate approved a budget resolution, the first step toward Democrats passing a $3.5 trillion spending plan without Republican votes.
  • The party sees the plan as complementary to the more than $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan passed by the Senate on Tuesday.
  • Congress likely will not pass either bill for weeks or even months.

Senate Democrats took their first step toward passing a $3.5 trillion spending plan early Wednesday as the party forges ahead with a massive economic agenda.

After more than 14 hours of votes on amendments, the Democratic-held chamber voted to pass a budget resolution 50-49 along party lines. The measure directs committees to craft a bill that would spend up to $3.5 trillion on climate initiatives, paid leave, child care, education and health care.