America’s climate-plus spending bill is flawed but essential
The green policies and drug reforms in the Inflation Reduction Act are big victories
After a long path through Congress, a giant tax-and-spend package is on the verge of being passed by Democrats. It will be America’s first significant climate law and a cornerstone of President Joe Biden’s agenda. Just weeks ago the bill seemed dead, but a backroom deal brought it back to life. It cleared the Senate along party lines by a single vote. The House looks set to approve it on August 12th, after we go to press (see United States section). As a feat of legislative legerdemain, it is impressive.
What of the law itself? It has many imperfections, most of which stem from the politicking needed to keep it alive. But it also scores two big achievements—a semblance of health-care sanity and America’s most serious effort yet to face up to climate change. And these easily outweigh the flaws.
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline "Climate policy, at last"
From the August 13th 2022 edition
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