[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 183 (Tuesday, October 19, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S7038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                        Build Back Better Agenda

  Mr. President, now on Build Back Better, for decades now, millions of 
families in this country have found the basic American promise that if 
you work hard, then you can have a better life for yourselves and your 
loved ones, the proverbial American dream--Americans have found it is 
getting harder to reach. That is what creates a sourness in the land. 
That sunny optimism so crucial to our identity has receded away from 
view.
  Democrats have promised to do something about it. When Senate 
Democrats secured our majority this year, we committed to delivering on 
the trust that the American people placed in us and to respond to the 
challenge of our times. That is why we immediately set to work and 
passed the American Rescue Plan to propel our economy out of the crisis 
of COVID. And that has been the driving force behind our efforts to 
make President Biden's Build Back Better agenda into law.
  Last night, I continued my discussions with Speaker Pelosi and 
President Biden as we work to an agreement on legislation we can bring 
to the floor. I know that, throughout the day, the President will meet 
with a number of Members from both Chambers, and, as the week 
progresses, I will continue to hold talks with my colleagues as we move 
forward to the finish line.
  Here is what matters: Build Back Better legislation is going to 
dramatically improve the lives of tens of millions of American families 
for years to come. Something that impactful is not an easy feat, but we 
are going to keep working. By passing this legislation, we can create 
good-paying jobs for this generation and the next; we can lower costs 
and cut taxes for American families while taking overdue steps to 
meaningfully address the climate crisis.
  We still have work to do, but we are going to continue at it until--
until the job is done.
  I yield the floor.