WASHINGTON, D.C. – OCTOBER 21: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., along with members of Congress, parents and caregiving advocates hold a press conference supporting Build Back Better investments in home care, childcare, paid leave and expanded CTC payments in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on October 21, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for MomsRising Together)
Democrats are hoping to pass both the partisan reconciliation package, as well as the bipartisan infrastructure bill, but their biggest opposition might just be themselves.
The Democrats held another round of meetings to determine what would be in the final multi-trillion dollar partisan reconciliation bill. However, a few details are holding up its progress.
West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin (D) said that he’s not a fan of targeting different people and wants all Americans to pay their fair share of taxes together.
“I’m supporting basically that we, everyone should pay their fair share. I don’t like it, I don’t like the connotation that we’re targeting different people,” said Manchin. “There’s people that basically, they’ve contributed to society, created a lot of jobs, invested a lot of money and give a lot to philanthropic pursuits, but it’s time that we all pull together and grow together.”
This after Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) slammed the tax increases, saying Americans didn’t ask for more taxes with the slim majorities given to Democrats.
In the meantime, Manchin isn’t alone as progressives on the other side of the coin have stated their dismay about the cutting of programs from the negotiated package. The Democrat leadership met with progressive members on Tuesday to discuss the negotiated agreement.
Progressives have remained adamant that the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which has been sitting on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) desk for over a month, must pass alongside reconciliation. When asked about if they have come to an agreement, Pelosi said she thinks the framework for reconciliation is enough to get the infrastructure bill to the floor for a vote.
Join me live with Democrats, advocates and caregivers to highlight how Democrats will Build Back Better by meeting the needs of working families, expanding access to quality care services and creating more care jobs – because #CareCantWait! https://t.co/7XcwkKSQAq
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) October 21, 2021
“Congresswoman Jayapal just said a framework agreement is not enough to vote for the bill. Well, I think it is,” Pelosi said.
Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D), who has led the House Progressive Caucus in negotiations, has argued otherwise. According to Jayapal, not only does the reconciliation package need to be passed, but it will need to include expanded Medicare and tax hikes before her and others in her caucus budge on their opposition to infrastructure.
Source: One America News Network
