House Democrats force Build Back Better Act forward without CBO score

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 12:14 PM PT – Friday, November 5, 2021

Democrats force the Build Back Better Act out of committee, but the future of the social spending plan still remains unclear.

The House Rules Committee advanced the reconciliation package in a 9-4 vote along party lines late Thursday night. This comes despite Republicans’ request for a motion to wait until the bill is scored by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

“I have a feeling that no matter what that score says and whether or not it reinforces what I’m saying here today, I don’t think any of my colleagues on this side of the dice will vote for this bill at the end of the day anyway,” said Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.). To which Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.) fired back stating, “but none the less Mr. Chair, we should be able to understand what’s in the bill.”

🚨NEW: Leadership believes no CBO score until THANKSGIVING WEEK, per sources in both parties. We may see some elements of the bill scored. But no total score for several weeks.

— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) November 5, 2021

Now, the motion to proceed on further debate of the bill has been stalled in the full House with moderate Democrats joining Republicans in their demand for a CBO score. Democrat leaders had hoped to push the bill forward with cost analysis from the Treasury Department and the White House.

Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters he thinks the House version of the bill is so “defective” it won’t pass in the Senate, even if it’s passed by the lower chamber. Meanwhile, leadership sources say the CBO score isn’t expected until the week of Thanksgiving.

MORE NEWS: Manhunt In Ga. For Suspect Accused Of Shooting Police Officer

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases