WILMINGTON, DE - NOVEMBER 25: President-elect Joe Biden delivers a Thanksgiving address at the Queen Theatre on November 25, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware. As Biden waits to be approved for official national security briefings, the names of top members of his national security team were announced yesterday to the public. Calls continue for President Trump to concede the election and let the transition proceed without further delay. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)
President Joe Biden has acknowledged that negotiations over his Build Back Better bill are poised to last until 2022, despite last-ditch efforts by Democrats to get it done before the holidays.
“It takes time to finalize these agreements, prepare the legislative changes, and finish all the parliamentary and procedural steps needed to enable a Senate vote,” he said in a statement before adding that he spoke to Democratic officials Thursday and they plan to “advance this work together over the days and weeks ahead; Leader Schumer and I are determined to see the bill successfully on the floor as early as possible.”
A vote isn’t likely until after New Year’s Day, though.
“In these discussions, Senator Manchin has reiterated his support for Build Back Better funding at the level of the framework plan I announced in September,” Biden said in his statement. “I believe that we will bridge our differences and advance the Build Back Better plan, even in the face of fierce Republican opposition.
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“My team and I are having ongoing discussions with Senator Manchin; that work will continue next week.”
The delay comes at a vulnerable moment for Biden, as his polling numbers have fallen.
The administration remains confident they’ll get a deal done, though it’s looking likely that it will more modest than originally planned.
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