House Democrats scramble late into the night to win support for Biden’s economic plans
Centrist holdouts separately issued a statement committing to voting for the social spending package.
“We commit to voting for the Build Back Better Act, in its current form other than technical changes, as expeditiously as we receive fiscal information from the Congressional Budget Office — but in no event later than the week of November 15th,” said Democratic Reps. Ed Case of Hawaii, Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, Stephanie Murphy of Florida, Kathleen Rice of New York and Kurt Schrader of Oregon.
The lawmakers said they are “committed to working to resolve any discrepancies” in order to pass the bill if the CBO assessment differs from other estimates issued this week. The nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation and the White House both released forecasts Thursday projecting that the plan would not increase long-term deficits. It could take weeks for the CBO to issue a cost estimate.
Before the centrists issued the statement, potential assurances did not appear to assuage some progressives. Lawmakers including Reps. Cori Bush, D-Mo., and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said they would vote against the infrastructure bill, according to NBC News.
The delay marked only the latest setback for Democratic leaders as they try to push an ambitious agenda through Congress with razor-thin majorities. Pelosi can lose only three votes in the House, while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has to keep every member of the Democratic caucus on board in the chamber split 50-50 by party.
Pelosi has moved both bills together to ensure they can pass. The Senate-passed infrastructure bill would go to Biden for his signature once the House approves it. The social spending package would go to the Senate after passage, and could go back to the House if the Senate approves a different version of it.
Amid the setback Friday, Biden pressed his party to pass the packages, which make up the core of his domestic agenda and could serve as Democrats’ top selling point as they try to defend their congressional majorities in next year’s midterms.
“I’m asking every House member … to vote yes on both of these bills right now. Send the infrastructure bill to my desk. Send the Build Back Better bill to the Senate,” he said earlier Friday.
Biden spent much of the day working the phones, speaking to reluctant House Democrats and staying in close touch with Pelosi. He called into a Progressive Caucus meeting.
As talks on Capitol Hill collapsed Friday afternoon, White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden would “continue to work the phones,” and “stay in lock step with Speaker Pelosi on getting this done.”
“There’s a sense of urgency, as you’ve heard us say, from everyone, from all the members on the Hill to get this done for the American people,” Jean-Pierre told reporters at the White House. “Inaction is not the answer. So, we’re going to try and get this done.”
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
Article source: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/05/house-aims-to-vote-on-build-back-better-infrastructure-bills.html