\n\n“Originally, progressives had identified five broad areas where they wanted investments: the care economy, affordable housing, climate jobs, a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients, and reductions to prescription drug prices. The original $3.5 trillion version of the spending bill included many of these issues, but because of Manchin\u2019s and Sinema\u2019s concerns, multiple areas were significantly cut back or dropped entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Biden\u2019s new $1.75 trillion framework ultimately invests heavily in early childhood education and climate but does not include a major provision to help reduce prescription drug prices, a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients, or paid family leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And areas that survived cuts still saw dramatic reductions in spending. For example, Democrats\u2019 original budget measure contained $450 billion for long-term home care and $332 billion for affordable housing. Biden\u2019s framework, meanwhile, includes $150 billion for the former and $150 billion for the latter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sinema has opposed Democrats\u2019 more expansive proposals to reduce prescription drug prices \u2014 but agreed to a narrower option that includes a smaller pool of drugs. A pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients also isn\u2019t expected to make it into the legislation because of the rules governing the budget reconciliation process and the Senate parliamentarian\u2019s existing ruling advising against its inclusion. And paid family leave has run into opposition from Manchin, who\u2019s worried that the policy would be too burdensome for businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Biden\u2019s framework still has about $100 billion allocated for immigration reform, though it\u2019s unclear whether it will make it past this procedural hurdle. Democrats\u2019 latest pitch to the parliamentarian will focus on issues like the legal visa backlog and a shield from deportation for some unauthorized immigrants, the New York Times reports<\/a>. Lawmakers are also still finagling some of the details for the bill, leaving the door open for the possible return of some policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Progressives back the framework even with the existing omissions. In its current state, it includes several of their demands on child care subsidies, funding for clean energy tax credits, and a Civilian Climate Corps. Additionally, they argue that the talks on the bill wouldn\u2019t have even happened without the pressure they\u2019ve put on Democratic leadership and moderate lawmakers.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n