Bill Samuel, Government Affairs Director for the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the likelihood of the U.S. Senate passing clean energy provisions that were part of the “Build Back Better” budget reconciliation bill in revamped legislation.
The “Build Back Better” bill stalled in the U.S. Senate last December after U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D-W. Va.) refused to support it and it failed to reach 50 votes. Samuel believes Manchin is now looking to revive the legislation with some amendments, as the Senator likes provisions to provide funding for the transition to a clean energy economy. Manchin has also voiced support for prescription drug price reform and tax reform, particularly raising the corporate tax rate and the minimum tax rate for millionaires, he added.
Samuel cautioned that getting Manchin’s support will not be an easy task, but in the coming months, he expects the U.S. Senate to make progress on revamped legislation.
Samuel also talked about the U.S. House and the Senate reconciling legislation to fund domestic semiconductor chip manufacturing. In February, the House passed the America Competes Act which would provide $250 billion to U.S. manufacturing capabilities, a provision that is especially popular with the AFL-CIO, he said. The Senate passed the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA) in March, though the AFL-CIO was not happy with a number of trade decisions in the bill, he added.
He is hopeful both houses of Congress will form a consensus bill by next month.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics: