President Biden on Thursday unveiled a framework for a revised version of his Build Back Better plan, which is aimed at combating the climate crisis while funding an array of social programs. Biden’s scaled-back plan would see the U.S. spend $1.75 trillion over a decade, with $555 billion for climate-friendly policies like tax credits for electric vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines and more energy-efficient buildings. Under pressure from conservative Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, many progressive goals have been stripped from the original Build Back Better Act — among them, two years of free community college; paid family and medical leave; and a provision allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices. Still, progressive lawmakers like Vermont independent Senator Bernie Sanders called the package transformational.
Sen. Bernie Sanders: “The president and many of us in Congress are trying to pass the most consequential piece of legislation in the modern history of this country for working families.”
Senators Sinema and Manchin both sidestepped questions Thursday over whether they will support the revised spending bill. Meanwhile, progressive Democrats defied House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Thursday, refusing to approve an infrastructure bill passed by the Senate. Lawmakers led by Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal say they want the infrastructure bill passed in tandem with the revised Build Back Better Act.