President Joe Biden’s legacy would really turn on this significant moment with the Build Back Better Act. He has spent almost half a century in public office. A virtual smorgasbord of his plans to rewrite the social contract and thus combat climate change which is the Build Back Better act is really hanging on by a thread. The only hope (if you can call it that) is to flip Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who has sent the White House in a literal tailspin over the weekend by announcing his opposition. Thank goodness for this voice of reason against this disastrous bill and by a Democrat nonetheless.

President Joe Biden and His Domestic Agenda

Biden is facing his most consequential test yet with the Build Back Better Bill. He infamously has a reputation as a man who has been a senator and vice president. He has ridden into the presidency (though much-maligned and rightfully so) on a platform of Washington know-how. Plus having the relationships to get big things going. However, can he really save the essence of his domestic agenda? This quagmire of a bill so broad and encompassing that it bears the name of his presidential campaign slogan?

The Goal of Getting a Leaner Bill

In fact, the major task at hand is how to therefore restructure the approximately $2 trillion package in a way that is going to satisfy Manchin’s tough and important demand for a leaner bill while actually staying true to his ambitions to deliver significant relief for Americans. Also, it does mean holding together the 99 percent of congressional Democrats supporting by the broad scope of the bill. Therefore, in particular House progressives, do feel betrayed by Manchin that is after they did make sacrifices to placate him.

Biden recently told reporters, “Senator Manchin and I are going to get something done.”