By a margin of 220 to 213 votes, and following a last minute attempt to obstruct their proceedings, House Democrats gathered together and voted to pass the $1.75 trillion Build Back Better Act early Friday.
While acknowledging that the bill is smaller than what was initially proposed, Democrats leaders pointed out the significance of it.
From Reuters:
Friday's House vote came after Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy spoke for a record-setting 8-1/2 hours starting late Thursday. He cataloged a list of Republican grievances - some related to the bill and some not - and at times shouted down Democrats in the House who were openly dismissive.
In a dig at McCarthy, Pelosi later raised chuckles with her own speech supporting the bill, saying: "As a courtesy to my colleagues, I will be brief."
"If you are a parent, a senior, a child, a worker, if you are an American, this bill's for you, and it is better," said Pelosi, whom Biden later called to congratulate.
This is not the $3 or $4 trillion bill that was initially proposed, but it's still bigger than anything that any member of Congress has ever voted for. And combined with the bipartisan infrastructure spending bill that President Biden has already signed into law, it represents nearly $3 trillion in spending. This is a massive investment in our own economy that will pay off for many years to come even if it doesn't include every item on the progressive wish list.
Passage in the House does not mean Senate Democrats will immediately vote to pass it and send it to Biden's, but the ball is in their court now. It's finally time for Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema to put up or shut up. The time for speculating is over now that votes are actually happening. Manchin has to decide if he's going to vote for it or not.
I expect the Senate will pass the bill with minor changes and it will head to Biden's desk before Christmas.