Democrats see Friday vote as likely for Biden bill
By Mike Lillis - 11/17/21 11:55 AM EST
House Democrats are eyeing a Friday vote on the $1.75 trillion climate and social benefits package at the heart of President Biden's domestic policy agenda.
Party leaders are racing to approve the bill and send it to the Senate before the weeklong Thanksgiving recess, which begins this weekend, and some are still floating the idea that the legislation could receive a vote as early as Thursday.
But members of the Democratic whip team, after huddling with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other party leaders in the Capitol basement Wednesday morning, emerged predicting the vote is more likely to come Friday.
"We're being told there's almost no way we'll be back here [to vote on the Build Back Better Act] on Thursday," said one of the lawmakers, relaying the message from leadership. "We're planning for Friday."
Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.), chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, left open the possibility that the vote could still happen Thursday — depending on when a series of cost estimates emerge from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
"The fulcrum is just waiting for the CBO score, which has been suggested that could be maybe tomorrow," Neal said. "We're on the precipice."
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) had said Tuesday that debate on the massive social spending and climate package would begin Wednesday.
more
https://thehill.com/policy/equilibrium-sustainability/581964-democrats-see-friday-vote-as-likely-for-biden-bill
