Build Back Better Caps Off a Long Week at the White House
President Joe Biden delivers remarks on his Build Back Better Plan in Kearny, New Jersey on October 25th (Andrew McKeough/AKSM Photography).
On Friday, November 5, the bill, which has already passed through the Senate, was debated and voted on until the late hours of the night. Biden postponed his weekend trip to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware this weekend so that he could help lobby.
Article by Garrett Whitton, Junior White House Correspondent
WASHINGTON - The accomplishments of most US presidents and their administrations have been recorded and remembered. Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation or James Monroe’s doctrine are just some, to name a few. Though it may not be as significant as the previous examples, congress legislated President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure bill this past weekend.
The past week in Washington, DC has been hectic, to say the least. Ever since the beginning of August, Biden’s approval rating has tanked because of decisions he has made since his inauguration at the beginning of the year. Though the administration has virtually led the country out of the COVID-19 Pandemic thanks to its mass vaccine distributions and various mandates, Biden’s supporters have started to lose faith in him. Recently, it has seemed like he cannot get anything done that he promised during his 2020 campaign. However, last week’s gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey acted as a massive wake-up call to the administration.
With a Republican winning in Virginia and a nail-biting democratic victory in New Jersey, Democrats have started to worry about the upcoming midterm elections. As of now, they have a five-vote margin in the house and only one more vote in the Senate, but they could lose control depending on what ensues early next November. This concern prompted Biden to demand that a decision on his proposed infrastructure bill be made as soon as possible. That way, his supporters will realize he is not wasting any more time giving the people what they want. Among other things, the bipartisan infrastructure bill would enhance the country’s internet, communities will have clean drinking water, and roads, bridges, and airports will get the repairs they need.
On Friday, November 5, the bill, which has already passed through the Senate, was debated and voted on until the late hours of the night. Biden postponed his weekend trip to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware this weekend so that he could help lobby. Finally, with a 228 - 206 win in the House of Representatives, the bill was passed. Some of the people who voted “nay” were progressive democrats who wished Biden’s Build Back Better (BBB) Plan would be included in the legislation and Republicans who thought it was unnecessary because it would add another $1 trillion to the already massive national debt. Furthermore, members of the Republican Party encouraged their colleagues to reject it to prevent the Left from pushing through the even more expensive BBB Plan. Unfortunately for them, their efforts and desires were ignored.
After the house passed it, many politicians, news networks, and everyday Americans began applauding the achievement, including the President.
“Last night, the House of Representatives passed my Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal — a once-in-a-generation investment that will create millions of jobs modernizing our infrastructure, turn the climate crisis into an opportunity, and put us on a path to win the 21st century,” the President tweeted.
The bill is on its way to Biden’s desk, where he will sign it into law in the coming days.
Last night, the House of Representatives passed my Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal – a once-in-a-generation investment that will create millions of jobs modernizing our infrastructure, turn the climate crisis into an opportunity, and put us on a path to win the 21st century.
— President Biden (@POTUS) November 6, 2021