The plenary session of the Federal Senate concluded this Monday (18) the vote on the complementary bill, PLP 175/24, which regulates parliamentary amendments. The base text was approved last Wednesday (13) and the highlights of the project were pending.
Now, the project returns for new analysis in the Chamber of Deputies due to the changes made by the senators. Due to the urgency of the issue, President Arthur Lira (PP-AL) has already included the project on the agenda, as soon as it is approved by the Senate.
The proposal aims to resolve the impasse regarding the payment of individual mandatory amendments, which include the so-called “Pix amendments” or special transfer amendments, which total R$8 billion in 2024. The release of all amendments is suspended by determination of the minister Flávio Dino, from the Federal Supreme Court (STF), who demanded rules on traceability, transparency, social control and impediment.
In a defeat for the federal government, the senators ruled out the possibility of proportionally blocking amendments and not just contingencies. By 47 votes to 14, the version of rapporteur Angelo Coronel (PSD-BA) was excluded, which provided for the hypotheses of contingency and blocking if the Presidency of the Republic found it necessary. Only the contingency was maintained, a temporary cut in parliamentary funds in the face of a drop in revenue, as provided for in the Chamber’s text.
The opposition articulated the movement against the possibility of a blockade. According to the leader of the bench in the Senate, Rogério Marinho (PL-RN), “the blockade is violence, a capture”. “It is unconstitutional. Ending the blockade was an achievement by Congress to prevent the business counter when parliamentarians voted according to the government’s convenience, and the release of resources had this logic”, declared Marinho.
Last week, the Senate’s Legislative Consultancy assessed that the project does not meet the STF’s requirements regarding traceability and transparency rules for parliamentary amendments. According to the consultancy, adjustments may be necessary for the project to effectively comply with court orders.
The mandatory 50% health contribution has been overturned
The senators also changed one of the main guidelines of the project, which provided that 50% of committee amendments must be allocated to the health area. The minimum percentage requirement was removed by 39 votes to 25.
The overthrow was seen as yet another defeat for the federal government and generated criticism, such as that from Senator Eduardo Braga (MDB-AM), who highlighted the importance of resources for social security and municipalities.
“These resources not only cover health, but also social security and other essential policies. These are areas with growing demands, especially in municipalities. The amendments have been fundamental for city halls to maintain basic services in these areas”, stated Braga.
The amendment was presented by União Brasil, which argued that this minimum already exists for individual and bench amendments, and therefore argued that there was no obligation for committee amendments. In the highlight, they cited as an example the fact that the Education Commission had to transfer resources to health with another priority.
Limit for splice growth
Another change accepted by the senators was a sub-amendment by the rapporteur to reestablish the original text of the project by deputy Rubens Pereira Júnior (PT-MA) on the limit for the growth of parliamentary amendments. The limit had been removed by the deputies, however, senator Angelo Coronel highlighted that the limit is part of the agreement between the Powers.
“The proposed text will enable parliamentarians to fully exercise their functions in assessing the Budget, ensuring effective and balanced action in the budgetary legislative process. This cooperation between the Powers reinforces institutional harmony and will enable the development of public policies aligned with the interests of society “, said the rapporteur.
In 2025, the total value of bench amendments cannot exceed 1% of the previous year’s net current revenue, while the value of individual amendments cannot exceed 2% of the previous year’s net current revenue. Commission amendments could total up to R$11.5 billion.
From 2026, tax amendments (bench and individual) will be increased based on the rules of the tax framework. And the non-imposing ones will be updated based on the variation in the Broad National Consumer Price Index (IPCA). *With information from Agência Senado
