US House votes to pass $1.9tn social spending plan

The US House of Representatives has passed US President Joe Biden's $1.9tn (£1.4tn) Build Back Better Act after facing fierce opposition from Republicans.

The sweeping social spending and climate package is considered a key pillar of Mr Biden's agenda.

The vote came after a record-long speech from House minority leader Kevin McCarthy to delay the vote.

The legislation now faces significant hurdles as it heads to the US Senate.

The Build Back Better Act would expand Medicare, lower prescription drug costs and includes funding for universal pre-kindergarten and subsidies for childcare.

It also includes hundreds of millions of dollars to combat climate change and includes a provision that would allow the government to give work permits and deportation protection to millions of undocumented immigrants.

Friday's vote largely fell along party lines, with 220 voting in favour and 213 voting against. Only one Democrat, Maine's Jared Golden, voted against.

The House floor erupted in cheers and applause as soon as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the results.

Ahead of Friday's vote, Ms Pelosi told lawmakers that the bill "is historic, transformative, and larger than anything we have ever done before".

The vote was postponed late on Thursday following a wide-ranging speech by Mr McCarthy, which - at eight hours and 32 minutes - was the longest ever on the House floor.

The previous record was held by Ms Pelosi, who in 2018 spoke for eight hours and seven minutes.

Mr McCarthy's marathon speech to delay the vote touched on topics ranging from Covid-19 booster shots and China to George Washington's crossing of the Delaware river and how baby carrots are made.

The bill will now head to the Senate, where it faces significant hurdles, where all 50 Democrats will be needed to pass it.

On Thursday, the Congressional Budget Office said that the bill would increase the US budget deficit by $367bn between 2022 and 2031.

Two Democratic senators - West Virginia's Joe Manchin and Arizona's Kyrsten Sinema - have not committed to voting in favour.

Parts of the legislation - such as four weeks of paid leave - may be cut out entirely, while other parts may be altered to garner the support of Democrats who have expressed concerns.

If it is changed, it will be sent back to the House of Representatives. Earlier in November, Mr Biden said it would be a "tough fight" to pass the bill.