The Brazilian Congress has passed the National Budget Bill for next year, preserving a popular social welfare program known as “Bolsa Familia,” made possible by reducing the fiscal savings target. The Congress voted for a fixed target of 0.5% of the Gross Domestic Product without the option of deducting investments and other expenditures. The lawmakers rejected requests made by President Dilma Rousseff on Tuesday to reduce the target to 0 if needed, meaning no savings. teleSUR
