Senate Committee Backs Watered Down Aid Bill

Following on from the earlier Valor headlines, the Senate’s Constitution and Justice Committee have approved the so-called transition bill, after allies of President-elect Lula agreed to reduce the amount to be spent through Bolsa Familia to R$ 145 billion from R$ 175 billion.

• Change is yet to be included in the actual bill by rapporteur Alexandre Silveira, but senator Jaques Wagner said before the committee, on behalf of Lula’s team, that he agrees with the reduction. The bill is scheduled to go to a floor vote on Wednesday, according to the office of Senate chief Rodrigo Pacheco
• Additionally, a proposal approved at the Senate committee says the new administration must submit to Congress by August 31, 2023 a bill with a new fiscal framework for the country.