The Chamber of Deputies signed into law the draft amendment to this year’s budget submitted by the Executive Branch. In presenting the supplementary budget, the Executive Branch had argued that revenues are down RD$15 billion and expenses have increased by nearly RD$10 billion. The additional budget complements the RD$121.81 billion of the original National Budget.
The Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) and its allies approved the bill that had already passed in the Senate.
The bill did not receive the support of the legislators of The People’s Force (La Fuerza del Pueblo –PTD that backs former President Leonel Fernández). These left the session. Legislators for the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), remained in the hall, but voted against the bill.
The vote of the ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) and allied deputies was enough for the bill to pass the two readings during the Wednesday, 4 December 2019 session. The bill was approved with the vote of 79 PLD deputies, 13 of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), 1 of the Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC), and four of the Liberal Reformist Party (PLR) and Popular Christian Party (PPC).
Previously, PRM congressman Francisco Paulino had submitted a dissident report, which was rejected.
The president of the finance committee of the lower house, Ramon Cabrera (PLD), presented a favorable report that was accepted by the majority.
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Listin Diario
El Nuevo Diario
5 December 2019