[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 218 (Friday, December 17, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S9274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                         Build Back Better Act

  Mr. President, now on Build Back Better, Senate Democrats are working 
to pass Build Back Better and send it to the President's desk as soon 
as possible so we can strengthen the middle class, create opportunity 
in the 21st century, and fight the climate crisis.
  Yesterday, I had a good discussion with the President and the 
Speaker, where we talked about ongoing negotiations on finalizing the 
Build Back Better Act so we can pass it through the Senate. The 
President requested more time to continue his negotiations, and so we 
will keep working with him, hand in hand, to bring this bill over the 
finish line and deliver on these must needed provisions.
  At its core, Build Back Better is about making the greatest 
investment in the American people that we have seen in generations. It 
is about building new ladders to help people climb into the middle 
class and providing them stability to thrive in the middle class once 
they get there. That means lowering the costs of prescription drugs, 
extending the child tax credit, making childcare more affordable for 
tens of millions of families, expanding housing, early education, and 
affordable healthcare. And it means taking unprecedented steps to fight 
climate change and lay the groundwork for greater action in the future.
  These are all things that the American people want. These are things 
Democrats are fighting to secure.
  And it cannot be forgotten that not a single Republican--not one--has 
joined us in making them happen. They are opposed to making childcare 
more affordable; they are opposed to fighting the climate crisis; and 
they are possibly even considering fighting provisions like making 
drugs like insulin more affordable.
  If Republicans won't fight to help everyday Americans afford the 
basics, Democrats will. We are going to keep working to achieve our 
goal of passing Build Back Better into law.