As Democrats scramble to pass a trimmed-down version of the controversial Build Back Better (BBB) social spending package before the end of summer and start of an intense campaign season, Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D-W.Va.) concerns about the package remain “unresolved.”
The push to pass BBB began to get well and truly underway during the summer of 2021. Using the reconciliation process, the bill would be able to pass over the 60-vote filibuster threshold in the Senate and be approved by a simple majority.
However, because Democrats hold the barest possible majority in the Senate, 50 seats plus a one-vote advantage with the assistance of Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote, and because Republicans unilaterally oppose BBB, every Democrat in the upper chamber must be on board with any reconciliation proposal that hopes to pass….