Around two and a half hours after voting in the first round, federal deputies approved this Thursday (19) the proposed amendment to the Constitution (PEC) of the government’s mandatory spending cut package. Earlier, the proposal had been approved in the first round. 
The score for the second round was 348 votes in favor and 146 against. In the first round, there were 354 votes in favor, 154 against and two abstentions. The matter will be forwarded to the Senate for analysis.
As it was a proposal to change the Constitution, the government’s proposal had to be approved in two rounds by the Chamber. The text needed 308 votes, three-fifths of the 513 deputies, to pass.
The second round discussion began after the plenary rejected two highlights. A highlight of PSOL sought to withdraw changes to the Basic Education Maintenance and Development Fund (Fundeb). Another highlight, relating to the Continuous Payment Benefit (BPC) was unanimously rejected because the topic will be discussed in the bill.
The PEC brings changes to the salary bonus and Fundeb, in addition to extending the Untying of Union Revenues (DRU). The proposal also paves the way for voting on the project that limits super salaries for civil servants.
To avoid the defeat of the PEC, the government agreed with the text’s rapporteur in the Chamber, Moses Rodrigues (União Brasil-CE), to weaken the funds that could be outside the super salary ceiling of R$44,000. The original text provided for a complementary law to deal with the funds authorized to remain outside the ceiling. Now, the topic will be regulated through an ordinary law, which requires a simple majority.
