WASHINGTON (AP), -- President Joe Biden and progressive and moderate Democrats seem determined to negotiate with Senator Joe Manchin, who is the holdout Democrat that effectively ruined the party's $2 trillion domestic policy initiative.
The White House has joined Democrats from the left and right in trying to save the climate change and social services bill.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal of the Congressional Progressive Caucus stated Wednesday that "We have worked too hard and too long to give up now" and said so in a statement.
Jayapal stated that she and other members of the caucus felt the White House should pursue the plan's goals using a combination Biden's executive power and legislation rather than relying on legislation alone.
She stated that "the legislative approach, although essential, is not certain of the timing or results." "We simply cannot wait for tangible relief to people that will make a real difference in their lives"
White House officials spoke with Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), chair of the centrist New Democrat Coalition. They discussed the House's plan to reduce the number of provisions while ensuring that they remain in effect for longer. Manchin stated that he supported this approach, but progressives warned against reducing initiatives in the White House framework released in October.
Republicans now feel more confident that they can defeat much of the stuff they don't like about the package. The Senate Republican leader Sen. Mitch McConnell said Wednesday that the Democrats couldn't swallow the spinach as they ended the year.
Biden spoke Tuesday on behalf of the families that would be benefited from the Democrats' ambitious but uncertain plan to invest billions in child care, health services, and other services.
Biden stated, "Senator Manchin is going to get something done,"
The president's remarks off the cuff were his first public statements since Manchin's weekend announcement that he would not be supporting the bill as it stands.
On a 90-minute video conference, Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader, told Democrats to expect a January vote on the package.
According to a Democrat on Tuesday's private call, Schumer said that the party is "not giving up" on its proposal to senators. The details were provided by a conditional Democrat.
The Democrats are now being questioned about whether they can restructure the initiative to win Manchin's critical vote and prevent a catastrophic defeat for their party.
Manchin and his party have become so distant, their relationships are so strained after months of failed talks that it isn't clear how they will even get back to the negotiation table or revive the 2,100-page bill.
McConnell finds all of this encouraging.
The Kentucky Republican said that Schumer had stated last night that he was not giving up on the call. He said, "I don’t expect him to do that, but the worst part of BBB, according to me, has died."
Biden spoke out forcefully about the economic pressures that make it difficult for parents to pay their bills and the help millions of people could get from the federal government through the legislation. Biden also stated that his package would reduce inflationary pressures, and pointed out analyses suggesting that it would increase the economy.
Biden stated, "I want things to get done." "I believe there is still a chance of getting Build Back Better done."
This setback has put Biden's top-ranking legislative effort in deep doubt at a crucial time, closing out his first year as president and prior to the congressional midterm elections, when the Democrats' tenuous hold on Congress is at stake.
Manchin's vote, along with the solid Republican opposition is crucial to this and other initiatives. This includes the priority voting rights legislation by Democrats that Schumer said would be put to an early vote.
Schumer stated that if Republicans continue to block voting rights legislation, the Senate would present proposals for changing the Senate rules. A Democrat speaking on the video conference said. This is a reference to the long-running efforts by Schumer to end or adjust the filibuster. Normally, measures must have a minimum of 60 votes to move forward.
Although Manchin stated that he could not explain the bill to West Virginia constituents, a union representing coal miner, including the 12,000 residents of his home state, asked the lawmaker "to reconsider his opposition to the package."
President of United Mine Workers of America Cecil Roberts outlined how the package would benefit union members such as those from West Virginia, which is the most dependent on coal in the country.
Some of these provisions would allow coal companies to increase the fee they pay for benefits to victims of black lung, pneumoconiosis or other forms of lung disease. According to the union, the bill would provide tax incentives for manufacturers to build facilities on the coalfields. This could potentially allow miners to be employed after they have lost their jobs.
With Congress currently in recess, Congress is still uncertain about the next steps.
The White House seemed to be interested in Manchin's preferences for a bill that would do much less and last longer than the House bill.
It will be extremely difficult for Democrats, who have devoted much of Biden’s first year to what is now essentially an abandoned effort, to rebuild trust within their ranks for a new round of negotiations.
This package was one of the largest ever considered by Congress and provided billions of dollars for American families across the country. It was almost all funded with higher corporate taxes and rich tax rates.
It would offer free pre-school and child support for families with children. Subsidies are available for premiums on health insurance, as well as lower prescription drug prices and expanded Medicaid access in those states that don't yet offer it. This bill would create a new program to provide hearing aids for seniors. It also has over $500 billion in carbon emission reductions, which is the largest federal spending ever on climate change.
Biden's party faces a new deadline with the expiration on an expanded child credit. This credit has been sending $300 per month directly to millions families' bank accounts. The money will not arrive in January if Congress fails to act.
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