President Joe Biden is conceding that he and his fellow Democrats need more time to deliver on his big social-spending and climate package. “My team and I are having ongoing discussions with Senator Manchin; that work will continue next week,” Biden said.
Analysts had been saying it was looking increasingly likely that Biden’s Build Back Better Act won’t get the Senate’s OK this year, as moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia continues to voice concerns about the roughly $2 trillion bill.
“My team and I are having ongoing discussions with Senator Manchin; that work will continue next week,” Biden said in a statement late Thursday. “It takes time to finalize these agreements, prepare the legislative changes, and finish all the parliamentary and procedural steps needed to enable a Senate vote. We will advance this work together over the days and weeks ahead; Leader Schumer and I are determined to see the bill successfully on the floor as early as possible.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the New York Democrat, previously had set a goal of passage by Christmas. On Friday, Schumer said he had spoken on Thursday with Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the California Democrat, about “ongoing negotiations on finalizing the Build Back Better Act so we can pass it through the Senate.”
“The president requested more time to continue his negotiations, and so we will keep working with him, hand in hand, to bring this bill over the finish line and deliver on these much-needed provisions,” Schumer said in a speech on the Senate floor.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Over 100 Democrats urge Biden to engage with Cuba, lift restrictionsOver 100 Democratic House members have signed a letter urging President Biden to lift restrictions that make it more difficult to send remittances and goods to Cuba, including food and medicine.
Read more »
Young Americans are souring on Joe BidenWithout the threat of Donald Trump, the president’s policies are coming under increasing scrutiny
Read more »
Harris defends Biden when questioned whether he or Manchin is PresidentVice President Kamala Harris forcefully defended President Joe Biden when recently asked whether he or Sen. Joe Manchin is the president of the United States, as Biden's agenda remains stalled in part because of the West Virginia Democrat.
Read more »
The Biden presidency is likely to be heading towards gridlockOptimists argue that Democrats could still accomplish much before November 2022—even in the face of poor electoral prospects WorldAhead
Read more »
How the Biden administration’s ‘test-to-stay’ policy aims to keep kids in schoolThe Biden administration is set to roll out a program in schools across the country called “test-to-stay” with the goal of keeping children in schools as the Covid-19 omicron variant spreads around the country. NBC News’ Heidi Przybyla reports.
Read more »