Biden to talk with Manchin on sweeping $1.75 trillion spending bill

By Reuters Posted on December 13, 2021

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers closing remarks at the State Department’s virtual Summit for Democracy from the White House in Washington

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers closing remarks with leaders from democratic nations at the State Department’s virtual Summit for Democracy, in a speech from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building’s South Court Auditorium at the White House in Washington, U.S., December 10, 2021. REUTERS/Leah Millis/Files

By Trevor Hunnicutt and Jarrett Renshaw

WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden is expected to speak with Senator Joe Manchin as soon as Monday as Democrats struggle to overcome stubborn differences on a $1.75 trillion spending package while Congress prepares to wrap up its work for the year.

Months of disagreement have held up the “Build Back Better” bill, which aims to bolster the social safety net and fight climate change, leading the chair of Congress’ large progressive Democratic caucus to voice exasperation on Monday at what she said were deliberate misrepresentations of the bill.