Low-Income Americans to Congress: 'I Am the Cost of Cutting Build Back Better'

[AZProgressive]

With President Joe Biden and many congressional Democrats bowing to right-wing party members' demands to gut their once far-reaching agenda to tax corporations and the wealthy to fund expanded public benefits and climate action, low-income people from across the United States convened in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to say that "I am the cost of cutting the Build Back Better plan."

"We need to stop asking, 'How much does a bold Build Back Better agenda cost?' and instead ask, 'How much does it cost not to Build Back Better?'" Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, president of Repairers of the Breach, said during Wednesday's rally, which was organized by the Poor Peoples' Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, an effort that he co-chairs.

Wednesday's event came as more details were emerging about a hollowed-out version of the Build Back Better framework, a legislative package that can be passed through the filibuster-proof budget reconciliation process but only if all 50 Senate Democrats and all but three House Democrats back it.

Due to several months of obstruction from a handful of conservative Democrats—bankrolled by the same corporate interests engaged in an anti-Build Back Better lobbying blitz—the package's agreed-upon 10-year spending level has been cut in half, from $3.5 trillion to $1.75 trillion. According to the latest reporting, the following items have been removed or watered down as a result, though Public Citizen president Robert Weismann argued Thursday that "it's not too late to improve" the bill:

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/10/28/low-income-americans-congress-i-am-cost-cutting-build-back-better?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_campaign=echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1635464358

[Budi]

1. Hey CommonDreams, fk you

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215992927

[AZProgressive]

2. Both bills were negotiated back in June

The reconciliation or Dems only bill is being cut mainly by 2 Democratic Senators and maybe a handful of House members. If there is anger over Progressives over this both bills were negotiated back in June. If it is taking so long I would ask Manchin or Sinema.

[Budi]

6. Nope. If it's delayed today, it's not just on Manchin & Sinema anymore

Bout time all involved own their part.

[AZProgressive]

7. I want both bills as a package together

Not one without the other but I support a $3.5 T bill down from 7. It isn’t hard for me to support both but money is getting in the way. Why not make the Infrastructure bill better why does the reconciliation one have to be altered?

I can vote in primaries in Arizona so I will vote for someone better and it isn’t just this legislation. They oppose all sorts of things. In this case they should agree to support this since reconciliation bills are rare.

[Budi]

8. Ya . Whatever. There's no legitimate excuse for holding up this thing anymore.

I've had enough of all the bullshit talk. This was predictable way back in 2012 when Zack Exley made his pilgrimage to Russia.

Look it up.

[mzmolly]

3. Exactly. They help elect

Republicans over and over again.

[Budi]

4. 👍

[Beartracks]

5. Inaction isn't free. And not making investments isn't without costs. n/t

[sheshe2]

9. Welp.

Low-Income Americans to Congress: 'I Am the Cost of Cutting Build Back Better'

What will they do if some in congress vote no because as they have said...'Nothing Is Better Than Something' , Hmm?

[Baitball Blogger]

10. Low income families must never forget. If they don't vote in people who represent them,

their needs will end up on the cutting floor.