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November 2, 2021

Sen. Joe Manchin Won't Commit to Build Back Better Act, Imperiling Biden's Domestic Agenda
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President Biden's domestic agenda was dealt a serious blow Monday when
conservative Democratic Senator Joe Manchin refused to commit to
supporting the pared-down Build Back Better Act, a 10-year, $1.75
trillion program to mitigate the climate crisis while expanding social
programs. Among other things, the bill would expand clean energy
programs, provide universal preschool to 3- and 4-year-olds, and expand
Medicaid and Medicare. Manchin's opposition has idled a $1 trillion
infrastructure bill passed by the Senate in August, with progressives
refusing to approve the bill until they have assurances that senators
will pass the larger climate and social spending package. On Monday,
Senator Manchin said he needed more time to weigh the Build Back Better
Act's impact on the national debt and the U.S. economy - even as he
urged House Democrats to immediately vote on the infrastructure bill.

Sen. Joe Manchin: "For the sake of the country, I urge the House to vote
and pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Holding this bill hostage
is not going to work in getting my support for the reconciliation bill."