The 1937 Project

think it’s clear by now that congressional reporters are going to get a Christmas break. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has consistently expressed the desire to get the House-passed Build Back Better Act through his chamber by December 25. But as negotiations have dragged on throughout the past month, the fact remains that Schumer and the Democrats don’t have the votes. Joe Manchin is not on board with passing the bill, and he won’t be on board this year.

Manchin’s sticking points have been relatively consistent, though put together they look like an endless moving of the goalposts. He wanted to keep overall spending in the $1.5-$1.75 trillion range; that’s been secured. He has also argued for months that he doesn’t favor “gimmicks,” defined as enacting temporary programs that future Congresses may extend. “If it’s whatever plan it will be, pre-K, child care and in-home care, then it should be 10 years, it shouldn’t just be one year here, three years here, five years there,” Manchin said this week.

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