Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) today released the following statement in response to comments by Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) that he would not vote for the Build Back Better Act:

“The Build Back Better Act is fiscally responsible legislation. We will pay an incredible price if we don’t lower the costs families face, including unaffordable child care, prescription drugs prices, energy, and more—and if we continue turning a blind eye to big corporations and the ultra-wealthy cheating our tax code.

“Women are huge drivers of economic growth, but they’re dropping out of the workforce because they can’t afford child care. Taxpayers are coughing up billions each year to Big Pharma because Medicare can’t negotiate drug prices. We’re lagging behind our global competitors that are investing in clean energy and green manufacturing, all while failing to protect taxpayers from sweetheart deals that enrich Big Oil. And we’re letting our country be ripped off by large corporations and the ultra-wealthy that are lining their pockets with the $1 trillion in taxes they already owe under the law.

“It’s no wonder why economists are cutting their forecasts for U.S. economic growth following Senator Manchin’s comments. The Build Back Better Act combats inflation and invests in what we need for a strong, stable, globally competitive economy. We must forge on for the sake of our economic recovery.”

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