On August 6, 2022, Senate Democrats seized an opportunity to revive the "Inflation Reduction Act" and pass it into law. After an unlimited marathon session of amendments overnight, the Senate passed the legislation in a 51-50 vote, with Vice President Kamala Harris as the tiebreaker. The bill was considered one of the biggest legislative achievements during the Biden Administration. Staff of Senator Ron Wyden, the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, who spearheaded the bill, worked continuously for over 36 hours behind the scenes to ensure IRA's success.
At 4:25 am, a Senate staff member takes a break during “vote-a-rama”, a marathon-style vote that decides the fate of the reconciliation bill, on the early morning of August 7, 2022.
A Senate staff member carries a case of La Colombe Latte before the “vote-a-rama”, of the Reconciliation bill on Saturday, August 6, 2022.
Senator Wyden's staff prepare for the “vote-a-rama” of the Reconciliation bill in their office on Capitol Hill on Saturday, August 6, 2022.
Senator Ron Wyden's staff member prepares for the languages in the reconciliation bill before the “vote-a-rama” of the bill on Saturday, August 6, 2022.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., gets ready in his office for his speech on the Senate floor that triggers the “vote-a-rama” of the Reconciliation bill on Saturday, August 6, 2022. After the Inflation Reduction Act passed in the Senate, Leader Schumer made a teary speech thanking the Senate staff for their hard work on the Senate floor.
A staff member for Senator Ron Wyden squeezes a stress ball as they prepare for the “vote-a-rama” of the Reconciliation bill on Saturday, August 6, 2022
Senator Ron Wyden's staff members work into the wee hours of the morning as “vote-a-rama” goes on, deciding the fate of the reconciliation bill on August 7, 2022.
Sen. Ron Wyden, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, leaves after holding a pen and pad with reporters in the press gallery on Capitol Hill before the “vote-a-rama” of the Reconciliation bill on Saturday, August 6, 2022.
Senator Ron Wyden's staff work into the wee morning hours on August 7, 2022, as “vote-a-rama” goes on, deciding the fate of the reconciliation bill.
A Capitol police officer stands on guard before the “vote-a-rama” of the Reconciliation bill on Saturday, August 6, 2022