Progressives’ promised “big” and “bold” climate action took a big, bold hit when Sen. Joe Manchin (D- W. Va.) announced his opposition to Build Back Better (BBB) in December. Despite serving as the climate headliner for the Biden administration, BBB never held much climate potential. Moderates and conservatives scorned the price tag and questioned the absence of better climate policy alternatives in the bill. This underscores the imperative to forge a broad climate consensus that respects credible dissent and hitches the climate wagon to the right horse.
BBB was the antithesis of political consensus and policy discretion. Its architects chose the wrong measures and tools, while those opposing it were unfairly labeled climate obstructionists.
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