Hello Wonk readers!

It’s a new month, the Congress has returned from a break, so you’re probably expecting the Wonk have tons of wonderful news to report. Well, maybe. At this point there are plenty of ideas—but no consensus. Let me go through several programs and tell you where things stand:

Build Back Better: Readers will recall that President Biden’s so-called “Build Back Better” legislation did not pass in December in large part because Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and
Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) would not vote to lift the filibuster. Roll Call is reporting that several democrats want to work to get something done ahead of the midterms. Everyone agrees that whatever goes to the floor will be significantly smaller than the original bill. There’s widespread support for the universal preschool provisions. Likewise, many—including Senator Edward Markey (D-MA)—want to preserve in some form the climate change provisions. Finally, the child tax credit—which expired at the beginning of January—still has many supporters. The Wonk agrees with Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) who said, “I’ve been in [sic] involved in complicated negotiations for a long time, and one thing I’ve learned is you have to know when to take no for an answer.” It’ likely that some form of Build Back Better can pass. In a similar article Politico reports that Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said “sooner is better,” she said, urging for a version of the president’s spending plan to make its way through Congress in the coming weeks.

Funding the Federal Government: Wonk readers will recall that currently, the federal government is operating under a continuing resolution which expires on February 18th. The Washington Post reports today on this complex piece of legislation. The Post reports that a bipartisan group of members is meeting to discuss a way forward. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) acknowledged that a slew of policy gaps still separate the parties, including the balance between “social spending versus national security.” But he joined his Democratic counterparts in maintaining that “we all want to try to get to yes,” adding: “We’re not there yet.”

Voting Rights Legislation: As reported in Roll Call a bipartisan group, headed by Senator Susan Collins (R-MI) is working a variety of amendments “such as protection of election workers, more funding for the Election Assistance Commission, changes to voting practices and rights, and updating the nation’s Electoral Count Act of 1887 for picking a president.” Similarly, a separate group of Senators—headed by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) is also considering voting rights provisions. Senator Manchin—who’s working with Senator Collins group—indicated that, “ that means there would have to be an agreement between Durbin’s group and the larger group working on a broader elections overhaul, and that maybe the bigger group can help overcome a filibuster from opponents of such a bill.” There appears to be hope that some Voting Rights Legislation will pass—eventually!

The Wonk is encouraged by progress. It’s worth noting that this is happening because there’s a bipartisan push for compromise. The Wonk is pleased with this. Nevertheless, I am frustrated with the lack of progress with Build Back Better. If I were working in the White House, I’d advocate for breaking the bill into five or six smaller bills and pass them immediately! While I respect that this is a huge complicated bill valuable floor time is being wasted.

That’s it for now.

Until next time

—Happy Reading!