Susan Heavey

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – After having secured passage in the U.S. House of Representatives of President Joe Biden’s social and environment spending plan, Democratic colleagues are pressing on with it at the Senate. The bill will likely undergo substantial changes, such as the paid family leave issue, to meet party centrists.

Over united Republican opposition, the House approved Friday’s $1.75 trillion bill. It includes four weeks paid family leave by the government to cover the care of sick relatives or the birth of children. In the days to come, it will likely be a key issue.

As Republicans continue to oppose the legislation that aims at strengthening America’s social safety net and fighting climate change, it must be approved by both moderate and liberal senators. Democrats want to reach an agreement before the year ends, they have stated. House approval is required again for Senate changes.

Jon Tester, a Democratic senator from Massachusetts said that there would be changes to the world. He encouraged compromise. “We all have different views of the world.”

Biden stated that he is looking forward to signing the bill as soon as Congress passes it, which is still controlled narrowly by Democrats. It must be supported by all 48 Democrats in the Senate, as well the independents and two Republicans who are part of the caucus.

Particularly, Centrist Democrats Joe Manchin (Centenist Democrats) and Kyrsten Silena (Centenist Democrats) have expressed concern about their cost and its scope.

Democratic Senator Kirsten Gilbrand spoke out against Manchin regarding paid family leaves, however she said that they should reach agreement within the next three weeks.

This is the best time to take paid leave. Gillibrand said that “Now’s the moment” during CBS’s Face the Nation broadcast.

Over a period of 10 years, the cost of four weeks’ worth of paid federal leave was estimated to be $200 billion. Gillibrand suggested that the bill could also include an employer-employer system of contribution similar to what is used in some U.S. States.

United States is the only country with a high level of wealth that doesn’t pay women for maternity leave.

According to Brian Deese, Director of the Biden’s National Economic Council, the White House has reached out to legislators to pass legislation.

Deese stated that “we will work with each member of the Senate to pass this bill,” and added that there is “a lot more momentum” for the legislation.

Deese stated, “We now really have a very good understanding of the consensus,” on topics such as tax hikes on the rich and corporations, and government support for child care costs.

With only one Democrat voting in opposition, the House approved the bill. The bill was reduced from the original $3.5 trillion plan of Democrats.