Democratic lawmakers abandoned plans to vote on a massive social welfare and climate change package on Friday after they were unable to get all Democratic lawmakers on board.
The political infighting between moderate and progressive wings of the Democrats been a source of frustration for Joe Biden’s administration as it seeks to deliver on domestic policy priorities.
What happened?
The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives was set to vote on the “Build Back Better” social bill as well as Biden’s infrastructure bill on Friday.
Following pushback from a small group of moderate Democrats, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was forced to delay a vote on the “Build Back Better” bill.
“We had hoped to be able to bring both bills to the floor today. Some members want more clarification… that [the welfare bill] is fully paid for and we honor that request,” Pelosi, the chamber’s top Democrat, told reporters.
The delay of the welfare bill could mean the final passage of Biden’s Senate-approved infrastructure bill will likely have to wait as well, as progressive Democrats insist that the two measures be passed together.
What are the sticking points?
At least six moderate Democrats objected to the social welfare package, which is estimated to cost up to $1.85 trillion (€1.6 trillion).
They say they want to wait for a full account of the economic impacts of the bill by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), voicing concerns over the cost of the bill.
“If our six colleagues still want to wait for a CBO score, we would agree to give them that time — after which point we can vote on both bills together,” Pramila Jayapal, who heads the 96-member Congressional Progressive Caucus, said in a statement.
Biden put in calls to Democratic lawmakers on Friday, urging them to vote in favor of both bills
Progressives say the measures outlined in the 2,100-page “Build Back Better” bill are needed. The sweeping package would include funding for healthcare and education as well as investments in welfare programs and combating climate change.
The welfare bill would largely be paid for by raising taxes on large corporations and wealthy Americans — sparking resistance from Republicans and some moderate Democrats.
Where do things go from here?
The report on the cost of the welfare bill by the CBO isn’t likely to arrive for several days.
Lawmakers are also planning to leave Washington DC next week for a break — meaning a vote on the bill would likely be delayed until the end of the month.
It was unclear whether the vote on the infrastructure bill would go ahead as planned on Friday, amid resistance from progressive Democrats.
After intense negotiations, Biden’s infrastructure bill received a bipartisan stamp of approval in the Senate in August.
The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill would fund work on bridges, roads and expand high-speed internet — with the Biden administration saying it would create millions of jobs.
The political infighting has been a further hit to President Biden, who is looking to score a major political win with the passage of the two major domestic bills after weeks of falling approval ratingsand disappointing showings in off-year gubernatorial elections in some typically left-leaning states this week.
rs/msh (AP, AFP)
Article source: https://www.dw.com/en/us-democrats-scrap-vote-on-biden-welfare-bill-amid-infighting/a-59738801?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf