The fate of federal spending legislation dubbed the Build Back Better Act is in serious doubt after Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) publicly announced his opposition on Dec. 19. In its current version, the bill could result in added financial incentives for contractors, while imposing potential costs in the form of new penalties and fines. In an evenly split Senate, Manchin's vote, along with every other Democrat, is needed to pass the bill because no Republican has indicated they will vote for it. It's currently in the reconciliation process. "I have always said, 'If I can't go back home and explain it, I can't vote for it,'" Sen. Manchin said in a statement about the $1.75-trillion legislation. "Despite my best efforts, I cannot explain the sweeping Build Back Better Act in West Virginia and I cannot vote to move forward on this mammoth piece of legislation." However, some West Virginia groups, including coal miners, have urged Manchin to rethink his resistance.
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