By a razor-thin 220-213 vote—and with bipartisan opposition—the House of Representatives passed President Biden's social spending and climate policy bill.
While it still faces daunting obstacles in the evenly divided Senate, today's development is a big accomplishment for Biden's Build Back Better agenda.
Even so, Democrats can't afford to lose a single vote in the Senate. Moderate senators Joe Manchin and Krysten Sinema could either torpedo the legislation or make significant changes to it. Any changes to the text will send the bill back to the House for reconsideration.
SEE ALSO: Manchin Hints at Leaving Democratic Party
Despite those nuances, the mainstream media is reporting the bill's passage as a major victory for the Biden administration at a tumultuous moment in his presidency. Still, the popularity of its far-left provisions remains very much in doubt. Moreover, it seems likely to further motivate Republican voters in the 2022 midterms—like the passage of Obamacare did in 2010.
Here are the most controversial parts of the legislation certain to have a political impact one way or the other.
Government Takeover of Child Care
Public schools have faced growing controversy for embracing critical race theory, which teaches that America is inherently racist. Despite growing concerns about education, Biden's bill would make the government the primary funder of day care and preschool.
The proposal has left some old school liberals skeptical.
Unfortunately, those reasonable voices have become a minority in today's Democratic Party.
Apparently, the far-left thinks you're never too young to start virtue-signaling.
Adding to Entitlements We Can't Afford
As I've said before, both Democrats and Republicans have a dismal record on debt and deficits. However, the primary drivers of our national debt, our entitlement programs, have become the third rail of national politics because of the left's demagoguery. I mean who could forget the commercial of a Paul Ryan look-alike throwing a wheelchair bound grandma off a cliff.
Unfortunately for our country's fiscal health, Build Back Better expands Obamacare and adds new benefits to Medicare. While they may prove popular with beneficiaries, they tack on additional costs to entitlement programs we can't afford.
While many politicians won't live to see America descend into financial ruin, that will happen on our current trajectory. In this case, future generations will be left holding the pieces of their shattered American dreams.
Preferential Treatment for Unions – But Not Workers
Tucked away in the $555 billion allocated for clean energy is a provision that provides tax credits for union-built electric vehicles (EV). Unfortunately, workers won't reap the benefits.
SEE ALSO: Biden Green Schemes Abuse Families, Make Life Harder
The clause, successfully lobbied for by union reps, gives union-built EVs preferential treatment at the expense of John Q. Taxpayer.
It also undermines the EV market, as it provides an additional tax credits to consumers who only purchase union-built EVs. The purpose is to prop up sagging union membership and punish workers who've decided they don't want to join a union.
The proposal hampers the future growth of the EV industry by favoring unionized manufactures. The government shouldn't be in the business of picking winners and losers. Period.
Surprise, Surprise – It's Not Paid For…
So-called moderate House Democrats wanted to see how much the bill would cost before deciding whether or not to add trillions of dollars to our national debt. Surprising no one, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) calculated that the Build Back Better monstrosity would add $160 billion to the deficit right off the bat. The CBO added that it would cost $5 trillion by 2031. That's quite different than the White House's claims that the package would be paid for.
Additionally, Biden repeatedly said that no one making less than $400,000 a year would see their taxes go up by one cent. However, the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center estimates that 20-30% of middle income households will see their taxes increase next year if the bill is signed into law.
Only one Democrat voted against the bill: Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine). Although, Golden represents an R+10 district that Donald Trump won in 2020, he opposed the bill from the left.
No “Centrist” Democrats Opposed the Bill
The following list of so-called moderates supported Biden's reckless and radical spending spree. They represent swing districts, and are more likely than ever to be targeted by Republicans:
- Cindy Axne in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District.
- Cheri Bustos in Illinois' 17th District.
- G.K. Butterfield in North Carolina's 2nd District.
- Matt Cartwright in Pennsylvania's 8th District.
- Jared Golden in Maine's 2nd District.
- Steven Horsford in Nevada's 4th District
- Andy Kim in New Jersey's 3rd District.
- Kurt Schrader in Oregon's 5th District.
- Elissa Slotkin in Michigan's 8th District.
- Dina Titus in Nevada's 1st District.
How many of those Democrats do you think will be reelected in next year's midterms? Tell us in the comments below!
SEE ALSO: Republicans Jump to Historic Lead in Generic Congressional Ballot
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
I hope none of them get re-elected if they vote for this bill. The Democrats have gotten very evil and sneaky in the last 20 yrs and that’s why I became a Republican. Sleepy Joe has to go along with Kamala Harris and the swamp rats. They have been tearing this country apart after it was finally fixed by president Trump.