Ousted Squad Reps. Cori Bush, Jamaal Bowman claim Dems wanted $10T in spending for doomed Build Back Better bill
The Build Back Better Act, proposed by former President Joe Biden, faced significant obstacles in Congress, according to former “Squad” members Cori Bush and Jamaal Bowman. In a recent podcast episode, Bush and Bowman revealed that Democrats initially aimed for a $10 trillion spending package, which was later scaled down to $6 trillion, then $3 trillion, and eventually to $1.7 trillion.
The Build Back Better Act included investments in social infrastructure programs such as universal child care, an expansion of the child tax credit, climate change initiatives, and low-cost housing. However, the progressive duo claimed that the proposed federal investments in the bill kept decreasing during negotiations.
Despite their efforts to link the infrastructure bill with Build Back Better to ensure both would pass together, the House ultimately voted to pass the infrastructure bill separately. This decision left Build Back Better in limbo, with no scheduled vote on the bill.
During a tense meeting of the House Progressive Caucus, Bush recounted a conversation with President Biden, where she insisted on a simultaneous vote for both bills. Despite Biden’s assurances that Build Back Better would eventually pass, Bush remained firm in her decision to vote against the infrastructure bill without the companion legislation. Build Back Better, valued at nearly $2 trillion, ultimately failed to pass due to objections from centrist Democrats like Senator Joe Manchin.
Meanwhile, Bowman, who lost his primary election to Rep. George Latimer, faced controversy in his district for making anti-Israel statements that some critics deemed antisemitic. He later reversed course on claims he made about Hamas’s actions during attacks on Israel and has been vocal about his views on Israel’s conflict with the group.
On the other hand, Bush’s husband recently faced legal troubles related to fraudulent PPP loans. She blamed her loss in the primary election on American-Israeli activist group AIPAC and criticized pro-Israel groups in her concession speech.
Despite their setbacks, Bush and Bowman remain vocal advocates for progressive policies and continue to push for substantial federal investments in social programs and climate initiatives. Their experiences shed light on the challenges of passing ambitious legislation in a divided Congress.
