Black Caucus eager to see BBB cross finish line in House

Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), signaled on Tuesday that the group was more than ready to use its influence to ensure that President Biden’s $1.75 Build Back Better package passes through the House before Thanksgiving.

“We believe that we will be again at the table because we know it makes a difference,” the Ohio Democrat said when questioned by The Hill on a press call with White House Senior Advisor Cedric Richmond. 

“I will input myself to make sure that Speaker [Nancy Pelosi] and all others know that we are prepared to deliver every one of our Congressional Black Caucus votes,” she continued.

Two weeks ago, Beatty and House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) brokered a deal between progressives and moderates that allowed the bipartisan infrastructure bill to finally make its way to the president’s desk and set up a vote on BBB this week. 

The agreement underscored the CBC’s growing sphere of influence in both Congress and the White House.

The caucus, which turned 50 years old this year, has more members than ever before, and former members of the group such as Richmond, Vice President Harris and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge are all integral members of the Biden administration. 

Both the CBC and White House view the pair of bills as significant wins for Black communities.

Biden campaigned heavily on promises to Black Americans, and the Black Caucus has worked hard to make sure that these assurances come to fruition.

The delay in voting on the sprawling social services package ultimately forced a half-dozen progressive lawmakers, including Reps. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Cori Bush (D-Mo.), to ultimately vote against the infrastructure bill. Now, however, all eyes are on House moderates, who are waiting on scores from the Congressional Budget Office before giving their stamps of approval on Build Back Better.

The White House has maintained that Build Back Better will not raise the country’s deficit, but cost estimates from the CBO will give better insight into the bill’s price tag.

Beatty’s and Clyburn’s deal stipulated that BBB would be voted on this week, but the CBO on Monday warned that final estimates would most likely not be released until end of day Friday.

Earlier on Tuesday, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) expressed optimism that the lower chamber would vote on the package either Thursday or Friday.