Senate readies long-awaited vote to consider climate and health bill

Senate Democrats were poised Saturday to begin debate on a sprawling bill that aims to lower health-care costs, combat climate change and reduce the federal deficit, a critical step in a grueling journey to deliver on President Biden’s long-stalled economic agenda.

The vote to consider the measure, which Republicans unanimously oppose, comes seven months after internecine bickering scuttled Democratic efforts to advance significant provisions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower prescription drug costs, among other measures — a package party leaders regard as essential for retaining control of the House and Senate in this fall’s midterm elections.