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Build Back Better Act

House Democratic leaders plan to bring the reconciliation package to the floor for a vote this week, with or without the full score from the Congressional Budget Office. Five moderates, whose votes are key for passage, agreed to vote for the reconciliation package as soon as they get the CBO score "but in no event later than the week of November 15th." CBO has released scores of individual pieces of the bill, but the agency hasn't finished its full analysis yet. But whatever version passes the House, the bill will see major changes when the Senate considers the legislation:

  • Paid leave: House Democrats are keeping a four-week federal paid family and medical leave benefit in the bill, but Senator Manchin has stated that the provision is too expensive, and that such an undertaking should be bipartisan and go through "regular order.”
  • Immigration: The Senate Parliamentarian hasn't ruled yet on the immigration provision that would offer "parole" status of up to five years for some migrants.
  • "SALT": House Democrats worked out a compromise for relief from a $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions, but the Senate could amend the provision.
  • Electric vehicles: Senator Manchin's opposition could sink higher tax credits in the bill for electric vehicles built with union labor. Michigan lawmakers and others are vowing to keep the provision, but it's also come under fire from various U.S. trading partners.
  • Methane emissions: House Democrats rewrote the methane fee in the bill -- rebranded as a "charge" – but Senator Manchin could oppose it.
  • Vaping tax: Senator Manchin expressed opposition to a vaping tax in the bill. Senator Masto also stated that she is against this provision calling it a "regressive" tax that hits lower-income people harder than others.