In an opinion piece in the Washington Post on Sunday,
Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), wrote that the
CPC will soon release a plan for some actions like lowering costs, protecting
the health of families, and tackling climate action.
“The Progressive Caucus will continue to work toward
legislation for Build Back Better, focused on keeping it as close to the
agreed-upon framework as possible”, she wrote in the newspaper.
Manchin, a conservative Democratic senator, rejected the
president’s “Build Back Better” plan last Sunday in a move that
imperils the legislation.
Manchin’s move prompted investment bank Goldman Sachs to
lower its forecasts for US economic growth. Manchin’s rejection of the bill
threatened to scuttle hundreds of billions of dollars in funding for measures
to fight climate change and meet the Biden administration’s climate goals.
“Taking executive action will also make clear to those
who hinder Build Back Better that the White House and Democrats will deliver
for Americans”, Jayapal wrote.
Manchin has expressed concerns about a number of proposals
in Biden’s signature domestic policy bill, including multiple climate proposals
and extending monthly child tax credit payments.
“I think the stakes are too high for this to be, in any
way, about any specific individual”, Vice President Kamala Harris said in
a CBS News interview aired on Sunday, when asked about Manchin. Harris said the
White House was not giving up on the legislation.
Manchin’s support is crucial in the Senate chamber where the
Democrats have the slimmest margin of control and Republicans are united in
their opposition to the bill. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has said the
chamber would vote on a package in early 2024.
The White House said on Wednesday that conversations with
Manchin’s office will continue. Biden said on Tuesday that he and Manchin were
“going to get something done” on the legislation.
