Dems' Build Back Better bill passes divided House

(19 Nov 2021) House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was jubilant after a sharply divided House approved the Democrats' sweeping social and environment bill, a big victory for President Joe Biden. "A good morning, it is. Today we have the honor of participating in passing legislation for the people to build back better," Pelosi told reporters as she and Democrat leaders held a press conference Friday at the Capitol. The democrats majority leader, Rep Steny Hoyer of Maryland said: "It's a big win for the people. For the average working men and women of America, for those who struggle every day and hope that somebody is on their side." Democrats brushed aside months-long divisions and pushed their expansive social and environment bill through a sharply divided House on Friday, as President Joe Biden and his party moved closer to capitalizing on their control of government by funneling its resources toward their top domestic priorities. The House approved the legislation by a near party-line 220-213 vote, sending the measure to a Senate where cost-cutting demands by moderate Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and that chamber's strict rules seem certain to force significant changes. That will prompt fresh disputes between party centrists and progressives that will likely take weeks to resolve. Even so, House passage marked a watershed for a measure remarkable for the breadth and depth of the changes it would make in federal policies. "We think we got a good bill. They think they can make it better and let them go at it. And they may make it better. And we will accept better," said South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn. Wrapped into one bill are far-reaching changes in taxation, health care, energy, climate change, family services, education and housing. That shows the Democrats' desire to achieve their goals while controlling the White House and Congress, a dominance that could end after next year's midterm elections. Biden hailed the vote as "another giant step forward" for the country. "Above all, it puts us on the path to build our economy back better than before by rebuilding the backbone of America: working people and the middle class," he said in a statement. Democrats gathered in front of the chamber, many arm in arm, as the final roll call ticked down. "Build Back Better," many chanted, using Biden's name for the measure. Their cheering grew louder as House Speaker Pelosi gaveled the vote to a close. Republicans had little to celebrate but showed some feistiness. "Good luck in the Senate," taunted Rep. Kat Cammack of Florida. The House vote also gave Biden a momentary taste of victory, and probably relief, during perhaps the rockiest period of his presidency. He's been battered by falling approval in polls, reflecting voters' concerns over inflation, gridlocked supply chains and the persistent coronavirus pandemic, leaving Democrats worried that their legislative efforts are not breaking through to voters. "It's a glorious, glorious, historic, transformative piece of legislation for the people, for women, for the children," said Pelosi, underscoring Democrats' efforts to impress the public. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...