"Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is ramping up the pressure to finish his party’s climate and social spending bill by Christmas, but it looks like an increasingly difficult task given continued concerns from Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and the lengthy process of clearing the legislation with the Senate parliamentarian.
Manchin, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee chair, spoke with President Biden yesterday in a phone call that offered Democrats little immediate assurance that the West Virginia Democrat is on board with the $1.7 trillion “Build Back Better Act.”
He later told reporters that he remained "engaged" on negotiations. "We’re still talking about different iterations," he said, according to CNN. A spokesman for Manchin called it a "productive conversation."
Many could be forgiven for experiencing whiplash. Earlier in the day, Manchin doubled down on his concerns about federal debt and rising inflation. He also called a Congressional Budget Office report released Friday, which showed the bill would cost $3 trillion if some programs were extended indefinitely, “very sobering.”"
Nick Sobczyk reports for E&E News December 14, 2021.
SEE ALSO:
"Democrats Divided Over How Hard To Push Manchin" (The Hill)
"Senate Dems Huddle On Climate As Reconciliation Deadline Nears" (E&E News)
"Greens Offer Warnings, Pressure On Reconciliation Inaction" (E&E News)
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