Brazil lower house starts second-round vote on pension reform

The Brazilian lower house is starting the plenary session with the second round of vote on the pension reform today (Aug 6). As was the case with the first round, 308 votes are necessary for the matter to advance to the Senate, where two other votes will be held.

The bill was submitted by the Executive branch in February and approved in the first round with a 378–131 score last month.

The deals between political parties forged in a bid to approve the government’s proposal led to concessions reported to reduce the amount spared in ten years after the reform becomes effective from $313.6 billion to $236.9 billion.

The bill was submitted by the Executive branch in February and approved in the first round with a 378–131 score last month - Fabio Rodrigues Pozzebom/Agência Brasil

In order to guarantee the minimum number of votes, lower house speaker Rodrigo Maia has met with government officials and party leaders to survey the votes and see whether there are conditions to have the lower house vote concluded by Wednesday (7).

Senate

On Monday (5), Senate head Davi Alcolumbre wrote on social media the government expects the overhaul in the country’s pension system to be considered by senators at a floor session in the first round sometime before September 30.

At this stage, no special committee is assembled to consider the proposal, and the piece of legislation hinges on the approval of at least 49 senators in both rounds.