Senator Charles Grassley finds it unlikely that Republicans will vote in favor of a $1.7 trillion social and climate spending package, as Senate Democrats seek to pass it this month after it passed through the House before Thanksgiving.

The House version of the bill, which was scaled down from an initial $3.5 trillion plan, includes paid family leave, immigration reform, a provision that raises the cap on local and state tax deductions, $555 billion committed toward combating climate change, and universal pre-K and child care funding. Senator Grassley tells KCII there are about five major programs included in the bill that if they were approached in a bipartisan manner they could see support from Republicans. He believes this bill would feed the fires of inflation and says he’s following the words of former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, “A Harvard economics professor who’s well respected said in January, said again in April, again in August, again in October, you’re already spending too much money. And going any further is going to make this inflation, which is as high as it’s been in 30 years, even worse. So that’s why you’re going to find 50 Republicans vote against it regardless of what changes Democrats might make.”

The bill would be financed by tax increases on upper earners and corporations. The Congressional Budget Office released an analysis on the legislation last month that its enactment would result in a net increase of $367 billion in the nation’s deficit over the next decade, not counting any additional revenue that may be generated by additional funding for tax enforcement. You can hear more from Senator Grassley in Tuesday’s Halcyon House Washington Page at kciiradio.com.