Sen. Kyrsten Sinema signed off on sweeping Democratic legislation Thursday addressing climate change, health care and taxes, all but ensuring passage of the bill in the Senate.
The Arizona Democrat said her support came after Democrats removed a provision on closing the so-called carried interest tax loophole that helps wealthy private equity and hedge fund managers pay lower taxes.
“We have agreed to remove the carried interest tax provision, protect advanced manufacturing, and boost our clean energy economy in the Senate’s budget reconciliation legislation,” Sinema said in a statement Thursday. “Subject to the Parliamentarian’s review, I’ll move forward. “
Sinema’s comments on the bill, known as the Inflation Reduction Act, come after it won the approval of Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, another moderate Democrat. She was viewed as the last hurdle to move forward on the legislation.
Sinema had long been opposed to a provision in the deal Manchin cut with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer that sought to change carried interest.
In her Thursday statement, Sinema said she hoped “to enact carried interest tax reforms, protecting investments in America’s economy and encouraging continued growth while closing the most egregious loopholes that some abuse to avoid paying taxes.”
Democrats are aiming to pass the legislation ahead of the August recess in an effort to revive elements of President Joe Biden’s agenda before the midterm elections.
“I am pleased to report that we have reached an agreement on the Inflation Reduction Act that I believe will receive the support of the entire Senate Democratic conference,” Schumer said in a statement Thursday. “The final version of the Reconciliation bill, to be introduced on Saturday, will reflect this work and put us one step closer to enacting this historic legislation into law.”
