House passes Build Back Better Act

The House on Nov. 19 has passed the Build Back Better Act (HR 5376) by a 220-213 vote.

Congressman Derek Kilmer (D-WA, Sixth District) voted yes.

Sponsored by Rep. John A. Yarmuth (D-Ky.), the bill’s wide-ranging provisions include funding for renewable energy and climate change-related programs, taxpayer funding of childcare and community college, an expansion of Medicaid to include dental, vision, and hearing treatments, and a paid family and medical leave program.

Yarmuth said it “makes historic investments over 10 years to overhaul and re-imagine entire sectors of our economy and society so that everyone, not just those at the top, will benefit from a growing economy.”

An opponent, Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.), said it “bankrupts the economy; benefits the wealthy; and builds the Washington machine” by creating 150 federal government programs and increasing federal control over “every aspect of Americans’ lives.”