On The Hill

On Friday (Nov. 5), the House passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package (BIF), 228-206. There were 13 Republicans who voted for the package and six Democrats who voted against it. The Senate passed the bill back in August President Biden will sign BIF on Monday (Nov. 15). BIF makes significant investments in Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure, modernizing drinking water pipelines, removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) from U.S. drinking water, reclaiming abandoned mines, and capping orphaned oil and gas wells, as well as updating electric grids across the country.^[1]

To view a White House fact sheet, click here.

Originally, the House was set to pass both the BIF and the reconciliation package, also known as the Build Back Better (BBB) Act, on Friday (Nov. 5). However, Moderate Democrats demanded a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score on the BBB Act before voting on it. After negotiations, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) set up a procedural vote on the BBB Act and pledged to pass the package no later than the week of November 15.

A group of House Moderate Democrats said in a statement that if the CBO information “is inconsistent” with White House estimates on the BBB Act the group remains “committed to working to resolve any discrepancies in order to pass the BBB Act.” On Tuesday (Nov. 9), Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) said that the agreement with Moderates was “not for a CBO score” but rather “additional financial information.”

On Tuesday (Nov. 9), the CBO released a schedule for releasing cost estimates for the BBB Act. CBO will provide an analysis for the entire bill when “practical” and has begun releasing estimates for individual titles of the bill.^[2]

Once the House passes the BBB Act it will head over to the Senate where various changes will occur. On Wednesday (Nov. 10), the Consumer Price Index (CPI) indicated that inflation grew 0.9 percent over the past month and a record 6.2 percent over 12 months. The record inflation will likely complicate negotiations between Moderates and Progressives as they attempt to pass the BBB Act next week.^[3]

Multiple news outlets have reported that Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) could delay the passage of BBB following the CPI report. Congress still needs to raise the debt ceiling and pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) before the new year.^[4]

On Monday (Nov. 8), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced she would lead a congressional delegation to the 2021 Climate Change Conference (COP26). The delegation met with international counterparts to discuss the recent IPCC report, gender equity, and public-private sector coordination on climate action.

“The climate crisis is the existential threat of our time, and America must continue to bring our boldest ambitions to the table to meet and beat our climate action goals,” Speaker Pelosi said.

“Together with this outstanding, experienced and diverse delegation including Committee Chairs, Members of the House Select Committee on Climate Crisis and respected Members of Congress, I am honored to once again return to the United Nations Climate Change Conference to convey the strong commitment of the U.S. Congress in addressing this crisis and doing so in a way that puts justice and equity – particularly for indigenous communities – first. As the world faces ‘Code Red for Humanity’ because of the climate crisis, America has the great responsibility and opportunity to meet this moment. Led by President Biden and the Democratic Congress, we will do just that: advancing clean air and clean water for public health, creating good-paying green jobs and advancing our pre-eminence in green technologies, protecting our national security and leaving our children and grandchildren a healthier planet and a better future.” Speaker Pelosi added.

Members that joined the speaker include: Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Chair, Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Bill Keating (D-MA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Don Beyer (D-VA), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Sean Casten (D-IL), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Mike Levin (D-CA), Joe Neguse (D-CO), and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).

On Wednesday (Nov. 16), the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing entitled, “Full Committee Hearing on Domestic And International Energy Price Trends.”

To watch the hearing, click here.

On Wednesday (Nov. 10), U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry announced a new deal with China aimed at reducing carbon emissions. The joint declaration said China would begin phasing out coal consumption from 2026-30 and would cut emissions of methane.^[5]

To view the joint declaration, click here.

^[1] “President Biden to Sign Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Monday.” The White House Nov. 10 2021. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/11/10/president-biden-to-sign-bipartisan-infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act-monday/

^[2] Swagel, Phill. “CBO’s Schedule for Releasing a Cost Estimate for H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act.” CBO, 9 Nov. 2021. https://www.cbo.gov/publication/57601

^[3] Lane Sylvan “Annual inflation hits 30-year high. The Hill. Nov.10 2021. ”https://thehill.com/policy/finance/580884-consumer-prices-rose-09-in-october-62-percent-in-past-year

^[4]Nichols Hans “Manchin may delay Biden social spending plan over inflation.” Axios Nov. 11 2021. https://www.axios.com/manchin-chill-bbb-6b58cd70-6c07-40f9-af4e-c944a7b3a39d.html