Senate Democrats begin vote on landmark $430bn climate bill

Senate kicks off vote-a-rama' that could drag on as Republicans have promised to try to stall the process

US Senate Democrats on Saturday began a vote on a bill that would address key elements of President Joe Biden's agenda, tackling climate change, lowering the cost of energy and senior citizens' drugs and forcing the wealthy to pay more taxes.

Earlier, a Senate rulemaker determined that the lion's share of the $430bn bill could be passed with only a simple majority, bypassing a filibuster rule requiring 60 votes in the 100-seat chamber to advance most legislation and enabling Democrats to pass it over Republican objections, majority leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement.