Added to the amendments announced last week, the amount reaches R$5.1 billion, almost the total spread over 2024
The Lula government released R$2.7 billion in amendments to allied congressmen this Monday, April 22, on the eve of a session on presidential vetoes after the Executive’s friction with Congress.
Added to the amendments announced last week, the amount reaches R$5.1 billion, almost the total of the R$5.5 billion distributed throughout 2024.
This Wednesday, April 24, a vote is scheduled on Lula’s vetoes on the Budget Guidelines Law (LDO) and the 2024 Budget, which could lead to bombshells against the government.
The releases of these last few days come precisely in the wake of the advancement of matters that did not have the approval of the Executive.
In the Chamber, deputies approved on Wednesday, the 17th, a project that limits the charging of the Environmental Control and Inspection Fee (TCFA) by the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) – which applies to activities licensed by Unity.
The text was processed conclusively, that is, it will go directly to the Senate, without going through the Chamber plenary, if there is no appeal presented by at least 51 deputies.
The fee is one of Ibama’s main sources of resources. The tax is charged on the inspection and control of potentially polluting activities – defined by law – and which use natural resources.
In the Senate, the Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ) approved on the same day a Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) that grants a 5% salary increase every five years for members of the Judiciary. The text, which will be analyzed by the plenary, boosts the salaries of judges and prosecutors up to a limit of 35% of the server’s remuneration.
Government leader in the House, senator Jaques Wagner (PT-BA) classified the proposal as a “bomb [fiscal] that may be coming”. Now, through the release of parliamentary amendments, the government is working with the expectation of containing the progress of these matters through the plenary.
Lira was not included
On a collision course with Planalto in recent days with Palácio do Planalto, the president of the Chamber, Arthur Lira (PP-AL), was not included in this note on the release of amendments. Last week, the deputy called the minister Alexandre PadilhaInstitutional Relations, “incompetent”.
To try to contain the crisis, the Minister of the Civil House, Rui Costa, and the leader of the government in the Chamber, José Guimarães (PT-CE), met with Lira on Wednesday, 17. Lira’s allies and members of the government admit that the conversation was “friendly” on both sides.
Allies were privileged
On the other hand, the president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG), seen as an early ally of Planalto, was awarded R$24 million and amendments. According to the rules, every deputy, whether government or opposition, is entitled to R$37.9 million. The senators have R$69.6 million.
It is up to the government, however, to pace the release of these transfers and to nod to Congress when the president’s proposals need to move forward. In the Chamber, the main beneficiaries this time were congressman Otto Alencar Filho (PSD-BA), who managed to release R$23 million, and Castro Neto (PSD-PI), who obtained R$19 million. The two are, respectively, sons of senators Otto Alencar and Marcelo Castro.
In the Senate, Eduardo Braga (MDB-AM) was awarded R$63 million. Other government allies, such as senators Marcelo Castro (MDB-PI), Otto Alencar (PSD-BA) and Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP), received between R$26 million and R$34 million.
The Antagonist
