Chamber approves supplementary credit of R$ 343,6 billion for expenses this year.
The session of the National Congress continues this afternoon, when the text is expected to be voted on by the senators.
Agency Board - The Chamber of Deputies plenary approved this Thursday (21), in a virtual session of the National Congress, the proposal (PLN 8/20) in which the Executive Branch requests authorization to settle – through indebtedness in public bonds – current expenses of R$ 343,6 billion foreseen in this year's Budget. The Congressional session continues this afternoon with the senators.
The rapporteur, Senator Marcos Rogério (DEM-RO), made two adjustments to the text at the government's request. The Ministry of Regional Development secured the reallocation of R$ 308 million to resume 10 housing projects and generate 20 jobs. There was also an increase of R$ 394 in the budget of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz).
Marcos Rogério rejected all seven amendments presented. He announced an agreement through which the government, in a provisional measure, will allocate R$ 60 million to reinforce the budgets of Fiocruz, the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes), and the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FNDCT).
The agreement fulfilled the requests of Representatives Arnaldo Jardim (Cidadania-SP), André Figueiredo (PDT-CE), and Paulo Ramos (PDT-RJ), and Senators Eliziane Gama (Cidadania-MA) and Randolfe Rodrigues (Rede-AP). They sought more resources for the area of science and technology, including research related to combating the new coronavirus in the country.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Congress has been holding virtual sessions to analyze budgetary issues. Since the technological solution for remote voting differs from one House to the other, it was decided that in these cases the bills will be initially analyzed by the Chamber's Plenary (see how virtual voting works) and then by the Senate.
social Security
Of the total amount of supplementary credit included in PLN 8/20, approximately R$ 213,7 billion corresponds to benefits from the General Social Security System (RGPS), such as retirements and pensions. This is equivalent to 31,5% of the R$ 677,7 billion projected for 2020. Without the approval of the bill, the money already released should only be sufficient until August.
With Constitutional Amendment 106, PLN 8/20 will follow the common procedure for supplementary credit proposals, and any approval will occur by simple majority. Due to the pandemic, this amendment exempts the Executive Branch from complying with the "golden rule," which prevents the government from resorting to loans to pay for day-to-day expenses.