Issue: H.R. 5376, Build Back Better Act.
Result: passed, 220 to 213, 1 not voting.
Freedom First Society: The multitrillion-dollar Build Back Better Act, H.R. 5376, would continue unconstitutional federal overreach with the adoption of a massive package of health care, education, and family benefits. It was also designed to combat the phony issue of manmade climate change with additional unconstitutional restrictions on us and production.
We have assigned (good vote) to the Nays and (bad vote) to the Yeas. (P = voted present; ? = not voting; blank = not listed on roll call.)
Congressional Research Services Summary):
Shown Here:
Introduced in House (09/27/2021)
This bill provides funding, establishes programs, and otherwise modifies provisions relating to a broad array of areas, including education, labor, child care, health care, taxes, immigration, and the environment. (The bill is commonly referred to as the Build Back Better Act.)
For example, the bill provides funding for
- management of the National Forest System;
- job placement and career services;
- safe drinking water, energy-efficiency, and weatherization projects;
- electric vehicles and zero-emission, heavy-duty vehicles;
- public health infrastructure and supply chain resiliency;
- housing, rental, and homeowner assistance programs;
- cybersecurity programs;
- tribal infrastructure, housing, environmental, and health programs;
- wildfire prevention, drought relief, conservation efforts, and climate change research;
- small business assistance and development;
- transit services and clean energy projects in low-income communities; and
- infrastructure and administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Additionally, the bill establishes programs to provide
- up to six semesters of free community college,
- free child care for children under the age of six,
- free universal preschool services, and
- health benefits for eligible individuals who reside in states that have not expanded Medicaid.
The bill also includes provisions that
- establish a methane fee for certain petroleum and natural gas facilities;
- expand Medicare to cover dental, hearing, and vision care;
- provide certain aliens with a path to permanent resident status (e.g., those who entered the United States as minors);
- provide up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave;
- restructure and increase the tax rates for certain corporations and high-income individuals (e.g., individuals with income over $400,000); and
- require the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate maximum prices for certain brand-name drugs under Medicare.
Freedom First Society Analysis: Enough said! Expect a battle in the Senate before some form of the plan goes to Biden’s desk.