• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military

2

Analysts expected oil to surge above $200 but China has quietly kept prices half of that—and can’t for much longer

3

Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there

1

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military

2

Analysts expected oil to surge above $200 but China has quietly kept prices half of that—and can’t for much longer

3

Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
Politicsbudget Deal

Democrats are trimming the Build Back Better agenda to $1.9 trillion. What’s in, out, and still in play

Megan Leonhardt
By
Megan Leonhardt
Megan Leonhardt
Down Arrow Button Icon
Megan Leonhardt
By
Megan Leonhardt
Megan Leonhardt
Down Arrow Button Icon
October 20, 2021, 12:30 PM ET

President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats met Tuesday to work on winnowing down the initial $3.5 trillion budget to a spending plan between $1.9 trillion and $2.2 trillion. 

The meetings come after senators Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) have firmly refused to support the $3.5 trillion price tag. With Democrats facing only a slim majority in the House and Senate and no Republican support for Biden’s agenda, leaders are forced to get every Democrat on board in order to pass this legislative package. 

Manchin has consistently said since summer he’ll support a $1.5 trillion bill. Sources told Punchbowl News that a “realistic target” for the reconciliation package is probably somewhere in the $1.75 trillion to $1.95 trillion range.

But cutting the bill in half means that not all of the president’s agenda will make the final cut and that many programs will have to be significantly trimmed. Here’s where many of the popular proposals stand as of Tuesday night. 

Free community college: Out. Biden said last week that his plan to provide two years of free community college was on the chopping block. However, a proposed Pell Grant expansion is still in play. 

Carbon tax: Out. At this point, no one believes this will be in the final bill.

State and local tax deductions: Out, according to Washington Post’s Jeff Stein. Several lawmakers called for the so-called SALT deductions to be reinstated as part of the Build Back Better package. These deductions had been cut under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Universal pre-K: In. The plan still calls for free pre-kindergarten for 3- and 4-year-olds, a program the White House has said will benefit 5 million children.

Child tax credit: In, but reduced. The latest discussions call for extending the child tax credit for another year or two (not the permanent expansion some progressive Democrats have called for and less than the four-year plan Biden called for). And while Manchin has toyed with the idea of including a means test, so far that’s not on the table and the credit would be fully refundable. 

Home health care: In, but reduced. CNN’s Manu Raju reports the latest talks have $250 billion set aside for home- and community-based services. Previously, Biden had called for $400 billion in spending to help meet these long-term health needs. 

Housing assistance: In, but reduced. So far, there seems to be $200 billion allocated for public housing. Democrats initially proposed spending $330 billion for a wide range of housing assistance programs, including down payment assistance, public housing vouchers, and new construction funding. 

Paid leave: In, but reduced. Under the latest proposal, Americans would have access to up to four weeks of paid family leave, although it would be phased out for Americans earning over $100,000. This is substantially less than the originally proposed 12 weeks, but plans around paid leave are “fluid,” one source familiar with the talks told Punchbowl. 

Child care: Unclear. Child care funding seems to still be in play, but a specific funding amount remains to be seen. House Democrats previously proposed setting aside $90 billion in federal funding to help families with children under the age of 5 pay for child care so that most families would spend less than 7% of their total income on this expense.

Climate proposals: Unclear. Biden has called for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, but the programs designed to accomplish this are still in flux. Politico reports that the $150 billion Clean Energy Performance Program, which would incentivize utilities to increase clean electricity, is also likely out. That said, if Biden’s blocked legislatively, he may try to push through his agenda using administrative action. 

Medicare expansion: Unclear. This is a huge sticking point between progressives like Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who support the expansion, and Manchin, who opposes it. Reports note that there have been discussions of a “pilot program” in which seniors would receive assistance to cover dental costs, but it’s unclear if this would also cover hearing and vision as well.

With some momentum coming out of Tuesday’s meetings, Democrats are looking to find a compromise before the end of the month. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) set an Oct. 31 deadline to pass the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, but progressive Democrats have said they will not vote on infrastructure until there’s an agreement on the reconciliation budget plan. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Tuesday he’s committed to voting on both the infrastructure bill and a reconciliation package by the end of the month, according to NPR.

“I do feel like we’re getting closer. I think we’re all working really hard to try to get this done,” Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said Tuesday.

More politics coverage from Fortune:

  • Business leaders have the power to disrupt the political status quo
  • Colin Powell: The best advice I ever got
  • Miami private school says vaccinated students must stay home for 30 days
  • ‘Gone too far’: Meet the Dutch chips giant that Silicon Valley loves and Biden fears
  • That ’70s (horror) show: Investors are freaking out about stagflation, a relic of the Carter years

Subscribe to Fortune Daily to get essential business stories straight to your inbox each morning.

About the Author
Megan Leonhardt
By Megan Leonhardt
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Politics

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Politics

Digital sovereignty isn’t the same thing as digital isolation. Asia’s governments should be careful
Commentarydata sovereignty
Digital sovereignty isn’t the same thing as digital isolation. Asia’s governments should be careful
By Leonard LimJune 10, 2026
9 hours ago
The curse of Trump watching sports in person: the home team seems to always lose
Arts & EntertainmentDonald Trump
The curse of Trump watching sports in person: the home team seems to always lose
By The Associated Press and Will WeissertJune 10, 2026
9 hours ago
‘I love the inflation’: Trump is ‘not concerned’ about inflation hitting 4% for the first time since 2023. ‘The numbers were great’
EconomyDonald Trump
‘I love the inflation’: Trump is ‘not concerned’ about inflation hitting 4% for the first time since 2023. ‘The numbers were great’
By The Associated Press and Christopher RugaberJune 10, 2026
11 hours ago
A 5-week course and a guaranteed job: Meta commits $115 million to solve the skilled-trades shortage stalling its AI build-out
Future of WorkMeta
A 5-week course and a guaranteed job: Meta commits $115 million to solve the skilled-trades shortage stalling its AI build-out
By Jacqueline MunisJune 10, 2026
12 hours ago
platner
PoliticsElections
Graham Platner easily prevails over attempts to derail progressive Senate candidacy in Maine
By Patrick Whittle, Kimberlee Kruesi and The Associated PressJune 10, 2026
16 hours ago
swiss
EuropeImmigration
Switzerland to cast world’s first ever vote on whether to cap population
By Jamey Keaten and The Associated PressJune 10, 2026
16 hours ago

Most Popular

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military
Asia
Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military
By Kate O'Keeffe and BloombergJune 8, 2026
2 days ago
Analysts expected oil to surge above $200 but China has quietly kept prices half of that—and can’t for much longer
Energy
Analysts expected oil to surge above $200 but China has quietly kept prices half of that—and can’t for much longer
By Sasha RogelbergJune 10, 2026
11 hours ago
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
Success
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
By Preston ForeJune 8, 2026
3 days ago
Marc Lore’s robots make 500 burrito bowls an hour. A human can make 45
Innovation
Marc Lore’s robots make 500 burrito bowls an hour. A human can make 45
By Amanda GerutJune 9, 2026
1 day ago
A ‘MAGA Warrior’ Texas ag chief is publicly blasting the USDA over a flesh-eating pest threatening America's beef supply
North America
A ‘MAGA Warrior’ Texas ag chief is publicly blasting the USDA over a flesh-eating pest threatening America's beef supply
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJune 10, 2026
20 hours ago
Current price of oil as of June 10, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 10, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 10, 2026
17 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.