(Washington Insider Magazine) -Time is dwindling away as Democrats’ in the Senate scurry to pass President Joe Biden’s $1.75 trillion Build Back Better plan before the arrival of the new year. It is unclear if the Senate Democrats will be able to acquire all 50 votes necessary to pass the social spending bill, but it is clear who is causing delays in the passing of the legislation. Joe Manchin, a moderate Democrat senator from WV, has continuously stated his support for the bill but wants to ensure the cost of the spending bill does not exceed $1.75 trillion.
It’s rumored the senator is against the extended child tax credit payments, but he has openly stated he’s always been in favor of the child tax credits and has voted for it many times. President Biden and Manchin have met several times to discuss Manchin’s hesitation of support, but nothing has been resolved at the moment. Biden continues to reiterate his belief in the passage of this bill but accepts the bill may not be passed before 2022.
“I believe that we bridge our differences and advance the Build Back Better plan, even in the fact of fierce Republican opposition,” says Biden.
Because Manchin’s full support of the bill is crucial for the passage of the bill, Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer, isn’t quite ready to concede and let the Senate adjourn for the upcoming Holiday break. He still plans on voting on the economic bill and has been discussing with other democratic senators about a possible voting rule change. “Schumer is hoping the small group working on voting rights rules change will find a path forward in the coming days,” says NBC News.
Senate democrates are hoping to change the rules to allow a 50-vote majority.
Many Democrats are scared this stalled voting legislation may cause a political fallout for upcoming elections because they were unable to deliver on their promise to protect democracy and get rid of restrictive voting measures. The growing frustration between Democrats in the Senate and Senator Manchin was made clear Thursday when senators did not hold back their frustrations about Manchin’s hesitation to this legislation. Although, Manchin does not seem to be shaken by the democratic uproar.
“No one pressures me. I’m from West Virginia,” said Manchin in response to a CNN reporter when asked if he was feeling pressure from his colleagues about his viewpoint on the child tax credit.
Parents start to wonder if this was the last child tax credit payment they’ll receive since no bill has been passed yet. Parents use the money given through this program to feed, clothe, and keep their children and their families protected and healthy in the face of these unprecedented events.
Congressional sources have shared that a vote on the bill could possibly be delayed until March. Mainly because of Manchin’s hesitation and unfinished negotiations about the ramification of the bill.
