On Tuesday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) expressed frustration over conservative Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D-West Virginia) declaration that the Build Back Better Act is “dead,” and called out the senator for his luxurious lifestyle.
Progressives have been pushing for the passage the Build Back Better Act for months. It includes key proposals to expand America’s social safety net. But Tuesday was a significant day. Manchin told CNN: “What Build Back Better bill? There is no, I mean, I don’t know what you all are talking about.”
“No, no, no, it’s dead,” Manchin went on, when asked if he had been participating in negotiations surrounding the bill.
Ocasio-Cortez responded by pointing out that the bill contained vital social safety net provisions that would benefit public housing residents. “Seniors, kids, and people with disabilities in my community have been sleeping with bubble jackets on in 18 degree nights, despite paying rent, because the [New York City Housing Authority] funding to fix their heating and capital needs is in BBB,” she wrote on Twitter.
“Where should I direct them to wait out the cold? Manchin’s yacht?” she continued.
The bill was approved in its final form by the House in November containedHousing advocates estimate that public housing funding is approximately $65 billion. to repairPublic housing in the U.S. The bill’s price tag, which was fully paid for with offsets, was $1.75 trillion – nearly the exact price tag that Manchin fought for.
Manchin It was a devastating blow to the bill in December when he said that there wouldn’t be a path forward for the legislation. But progressives are still been advocating for the bill’s passage, which they say is necessary and urgent.
“Public housing residents have endured devastating fires, the cost of insulin and other prescription drugs continue to crush working people, and parents are desperate for child care support. This desperately needed relief cannot be delayed any longer,” said Congressional Progressive Caucus chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington) last week. She urged the Senate not to delay the bill’s passage until March 1.
But as advocates for expanding the social safety net have pointed out, it’s not in Manchin’s personal interest to pass the bill, regardless of its potential to decrease povertyEnhance the lives of Americans of lower and middle income.
According to Federal Election Commission filings, Manchin’s campaign raised nearly $300,000In the days following the death of the bill, he received support from wealthy and corporate donors. This represents about a fifth the $1.5 million his campaign raised between December and October, and the highest amount his campaign has ever raised in a quarter. according to campaign finance expert Derek Willis.
Many of these donations were from companies that would have been directly affected by the Build Back Better Act proposals, such as Cheniere Energy, a natural gas company. He also received thousands of dollars from Republican megadonors, like billionaire Ken Langone who supported Donald Trump in 2016.
Manchin has cut funding for the public and his personal finances are also under scrutiny. Manchin’s yacht is insured for $700,000 – nearly doubleThe average price of a home in the U.S.
Manchin’s yacht – and the Maserati Levante he drives – were thrust into the public view when West Virginia climate activists confronted the senator, on separate occasions, as he was negotiating the Build Back Better Act. It’s unclear exactly where Manchin got the funds to afford such a luxurious lifestyle, but much of his wealth comes from his stock in the coal company that he foundedIn the 1980s.
