As progress on the Build Back Better (BBB) Act negotiations has stalled, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has shifted focus to voting rights. He has pledged to bring up a vote on amending the filibuster by January. 17, 2022, if voting rights reforms do not pass, but Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) continue to oppose filibuster changes. Congress must also pass another continuing resolution or an omnibus appropriations bill by February. 18, 2022. Negotiations over a compromise omnibus bill appear to be progressing as House Democrats are beginning to support a $740 billion defense spending plan, which is $25 billion higher than the President’s request. A compromise funding bill could also include supplemental funding to address the ongoing pandemic.
