The House of Representatives has narrowly passed the president’s massive social spending and climate bill, known as Build Back Better. The plan would spend roughly $2 trillion over 10 years on free universal preschool, child care and four weeks of paid leave. And it would lower the cost of prescription drugs – plus expand Medicare to include hearing. The bill would also invest billions in renewable energy. It passed 220 to 213 along party lines — with the state’s two Republican Congressmen, Jeff Van Drew and Chris Smith, joining the unanimous opposition from their party.

Meanwhile, New Jersey Democrats praised the bill for raising the cap on state and local tax deductions — known as SALT — from the current $10,000 up to $80,000 for 10 years, a major issue for high-tax New Jersey. The massive spending bill now goes to a divided Senate, where it faces a tough road to the president’s desk.