A Miracle for Biden

Published in Frankfurter Rundschau
(Germany) on 28 July 2022
by Karl Doemens (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Kirsty Low. Edited by Michelle Bisson.
The deal involving a $740 billion package* for climate and social issues is a success for the U.S. president and the Democrats. However, the package still needs to overcome congressional hurdles.

The deal came at the last minute: for U.S. climate goals, which have been at risk of being ripped to pieces by Republicans and the conservative Supreme Court. For Democrats, who face potentially disastrous midterm election results in the fall. And for President Joe Biden, whose approval ratings are worse than those of the wannabe dictator Donald Trump.

It borders on a miracle that the Democrats appear to have unexpectedly put together a $740 billion package* for climate and social issues against a polarized backdrop. The bill would strongly support the transition to renewable energies, keep health insurance affordable and force tax avoiders such as Amazon to pay more tax.

However, the deal is only a partial victory as the bill still needs to overcome congressional hurdles. But it is a start. For the sake of U.S. democracy, it is important that politicians can demonstrate that they are doing something to improve the daily lives of their voters.

*Editor’s Note: The proposed Inflation Reduction Act is estimated to raise roughly $740 billion in revenues. It would allot $370 billion to fighting climate change.


Ein Wunder für Biden

Die Einigung auf ein 740-Milliarden-Dollar-Paket für Klima und Soziales ist für den US-Präsidenten und seine Demokraten ein Erfolg, das Paket muss aber noch parlamentarische Hürden nehmen. Der Kommentar.

Die Einigung kommt in letzter Minute: Für die Klimaziele der USA, die von Republikanern und dem rechten Supreme Court kleingehäckselt zu werden drohten. Für die Demokraten, denen bei den Kongresswahlen im Herbst ein Debakel droht. Und für Präsident Joe Biden, dessen Beliebtheitswerte schlechter sind als die des Möchtegerndiktators Donald Trump.

Dass die Demokraten unerwartet in einer polarisierten öffentlichen Stimmung ein 740-Milliarden-Dollar-Paket für Klima und Soziales geschnürt zu haben scheinen, grenzt an ein Wunder. Das Paragrafenwerk würde den Umstieg auf erneuerbare Energien massiv fördern, die Krankenversicherung bezahlbar halten und steuerliche Trittbrettfahrer wie Amazon zur Kasse bitten.

Doch mehr als ein Etappensieg ist der Deal nicht. Auch muss das Paragrafenwerk noch parlamentarische Hürden nehmen. Aber ein Anfang ist gemacht. Es wäre für die US-Demokratie wichtig, wenn Politikerinnen und Politiker beweisen könnten, dass sie etwas zur Verbesserung des alltäglichen Lebens ihrer Wählerinnen und Wähler beitragen können.
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