Build Back Better Plan#American Jobs Plan

The term first appeared and was used in the report “Rebuilding a Better Aceh and Nias: Preliminary Stocktaking of the Reconstruction Effort Six Months After the Earthquake and Tsunami” published by the World Bank in May 2005, and prepared in collaboration with the Bureau of Reconstruction and Rehabilitation for Aceh and Nias (BRR) and the international donor community.{{Cite web |title=Rebuilding a Better Aceh and Nias |url=https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/295181468285599568/pdf/328930Replacement0aceh16months.pdf |website=The World Bank}} The initial preliminary report was revised and published in October 2005.{{Cite journal |date=October 2005 |title=Brief for the Coordination Forum Aceh and Nias (CFAN) |url=https://www.gfdrr.org/sites/default/files/publication/Rebuilding%20a%20Better%20Aceh%20and%20Nias%20-%20Stocktaking%20of%20the%20Reconstruction%20Effort.pdf |journal=Rebuilding a Better Aceh and Nias Stocktaking of the Reconstruction Effort}} Special United Nations Tsunami Envoy, President Bill Clinton, who visited Aceh during June 2005, was briefed by The World Bank, BRR and donors and included the term in his brief to the United Nations Economic and Social Council in July 2005.{{Cite web|url=https://press.un.org/en/2005/ecosoc6166.doc.htm|title=TSUNAMI SPECIAL ENVOY BILL CLINTON TELLS ECOSOC MOST CHALLENGING DAYS LAY AHEAD IN RECOVERY, DISASTER PREVENTION, APPLYING LESSONS LEARNED | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases|website=press.un.org}} Clinton also released a special report in December 2006 entitled "Lessons Learned from Tsunami Recovery:Key Propositions for Building Back Better".{{Cite journal |last=J. Clinton |first=William |date=December 2006 |title=A Report by the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery |url=https://www.preventionweb.net/files/2054_VL108301.pdf |journal=Propositions for Building Back Better}}

The term was subsequently used as a conceptual term by various leaders, at the backdrop of other natural disasters.{{Cite web|url=https://news.mit.edu/2010/haiti-mit-event-1027|title='Build back better'|date=October 27, 2010|website=MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology}} Following this, the term was used more specifically in a report by the World Economic Forum on natural disasters on the 28th of April, 2011.{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_VisionManagingNaturalDisaster_Proposal_2011.pdf |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250206165311/https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_VisionManagingNaturalDisaster_Proposal_2011.pdf |archive-date=2025-02-06 |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=www3.weforum.org}} In was mentioned again in a comprehensive report by the WEF in October 2015,{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/GAC15_Building_Resilience_in_Nepal_report_1510.pdf |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240905200629/https://www3.weforum.org/docs/GAC15_Building_Resilience_in_Nepal_report_1510.pdf |archive-date=2024-09-05 |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=www3.weforum.org}} and once more in WEF articles from 2016{{cite web | url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/05/how-ebola-has-affected-education-in-sierra-leone/?lb=b6518b7da38fe94be1a3642a6e0dedfa | title=How Ebola has affected education in Sierra Leone }} and 2019.{{cite web | url=https://www.weforum.org/publications/strategies-for-the-new-economy-skills-as-the-currency-of-the-labour-market/ | title=World Economic Forum }} An overarching plan called 'Build Back Better', with outlines similar to Biden's eventual plan, was first published by the World Economic Forum in April 2020, and then again several times throughout May and July of the same year.{{Cite web |title=Challenges and Opportunities in the Post-COVID-19 World |url=https://es.weforum.org/publications/post-covid-19-challenges-and-opportunities/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240717014134/https://es.weforum.org/publications/post-covid-19-challenges-and-opportunities/ |archive-date=2024-07-17 |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=Foro Económico Mundial |language=es}}{{cite web | url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/how-to-build-back-better-after-covid-19/ | title=COVID-19: How to build back better with climate action }}{{Cite journal |date=July 2020 |title=An Action Plan for the Media, Entertainment and Culture Industry |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Building_Back_Better_2020.pdf |journal=World Economic Forum}}{{cite web | url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/07/to-build-back-better-we-must-reinvent-capitalism-heres-how/ | title=To build back better, we will have to reinvent capitalism }} The plan involved major social, economic and political reforms, at the backdrop of the Pandemic. The wording 'Build Back Better' and an associated plan, first appeared in American politics during Biden's presidential campaign, in July 2020.{{Cite news |last=Khalid |first=Asma |date=2020-07-09 |title=Biden Counters Trump's 'America First' With 'Build Back Better' Economic Plan |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/07/09/889347429/biden-counters-trumps-america-first-with-build-back-better-economic-plan |access-date=2025-02-22 |work=NPR |language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://joebiden.com/2020/07/14/were-going-to-build-back-better-and-create-a-clean-energy-future/|title=Joe Biden for President: Official Campaign Website We're Going To Build Back Better and Create a Clean Energy Future -|first=Aalok|last=Kanani|date=July 14, 2020|website=Joe Biden for President: Official Campaign Website}}{{Cite web|url=https://insideclimatenews.org/news/15072020/joe-biden-climate-plan-coronavirus-build-back-better/|title=Biden's $2 Trillion Climate Plan Promotes Union Jobs, Electric Cars and Carbon-Free Power|first=Marianne|last=Lavelle|date=July 15, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-unveils-1st-portion-build-back-economic-plan/story?id=71681986|title=Biden takes on Trump in speech outlining vision for economy recovery|website=ABC News}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/09/us/politics/biden-buy-american.html|title=In 'Buy American' Speech, Biden Challenges Trump on the Economy|first1=Shane|last1=Goldmacher|first2=Jim|last2=Tankersley|work=The New York Times |date=July 9, 2020|via=NYTimes.com}} After having been introduced by President Biden, the term 'Build Back Better' became synonymous with his presidency's agendas.

In the years which followed Biden's introduction of his plan, other politicians across the world have also come to adopt various aspects of it, or call for its implementation. Some countries, such as Japan, have used the term to signify a 'disaster preparedness and resilience plan'.{{cite journal | s2cid=197881186 | doi=10.1177/0019556119844560 | title=Planning for Disaster Resilience in Japan: Integration of 'Build Back Better' | date=2019 | last1=Potutan | first1=Gerald | journal=Indian Journal of Public Administration | volume=65 | issue=3 | pages=611–626 }} In 2023, Israeli politician Tamar Zandberg proposed that Israel should work by the environment and medical outlines of the plan.{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/opinions/2023-12-25/ty-article-opinion/.premium/0000018c-9ca6-d1f1-adbf-9efe97150000|title=הזדמנות ל"ניו דיל" משלנו, לעתיד טוב יותר|newspaper=הארץ |via=Haaretz}}

{{main|Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the environment}}

The COVID-19 pandemic caused substantial job losses in the U.S., with a May 2020 estimate finding that it had resulted in the greatest unemployment crisis since the Great Depression.{{Cite web|last1=Soucheray|first1=Stephanie |title=US job losses due to COVID-19 highest since Great Depression|url=https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/05/us-job-losses-due-covid-19-highest-great-depression|access-date=June 23, 2021|website=CIDRAP|date=May 8, 2020 |language=en}} During his presidency, Donald Trump floated using low interest rates to spend on infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and tunnels, but specifically excluding the initiatives of the Green New Deal supported by some of the members in the Democratic Party.{{cite news|last1=Niquette|first1=Mark|date=March 31, 2020|title=Trump Urges $2 Trillion for Infrastructure to Bolster Economy|work=Bloomberg|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-31/trump-calls-for-2-trillion-infrastructure-bill-to-create-jobs|url-status=live|access-date=May 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403225007/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-31/trump-calls-for-2-trillion-infrastructure-bill-to-create-jobs|archive-date=April 3, 2020}}

File:Presidential Visit to the B&P Tunnel (52660381428).jpg in January 2023. An Avelia Liberty high-speed train is in the background.]]

Shortly before his inauguration as the 46th president of the United States, Biden laid out the following goals for his "Build Back Better" agenda:{{Cite web|date=2021-01-15|title=Biden Plan for Economic Recovery Includes Infrastructure|url=https://www.forconstructionpros.com/infrastructure/news/21232282/biden-plan-for-economic-recovery-includes-infrastructure|access-date=2021-02-17|website=For Construction Pros|language=en-us}}

1. "Build a Modern Infrastructure": The United States has consistently under-invested in the development of workers and millions of positions in rising industries, such as construction and healthcare, have not been fulfilled. President Biden's Build Back Better Plan would invest in training initiatives to help the millions of American workers to create high-quality employment in expanding fields through high-quality career and technical education paths and registered apprenticeships.
2. "Position the U.S. Auto Industry to Win the 21st Century with technology invented in America"
3. "Achieve a Carbon Pollution-Free Power Sector by 2035"
4. "Make Dramatic Investments in Energy Efficiency in Buildings, including Completing 4 Million Retrofits and Building 1.5 Million New Affordable Homes": Schools were faced with an estimated shortage of 100,000 teachers before the pandemic, which undermined the education of children.  President Biden's Build Back Better Plan will address the lack of teachers and enhance the education of teachers, including providing teacher residencies and by developing programs that provide greater results and generate more POC teachers. During the course of the school year, it would extend free school food to another 9.3 million students and assist families buy food in the summer. The plan includes investing in modernizing school infrastructure to ensure school buildings are up to date, energy efficient, robust, and have technology and laboratory equipment to educate children for the future.
5. "Pursue a Historic Investment in Clean Energy Innovation"
6. "Advance Sustainable Agriculture and Conservation"
7. "Secure Environmental Justice and Equitable Economy Opportunity"{{Cite web |date=2021-02-22 |title=The Build Back Better Agenda |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/build-back-better/ |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=The White House |language=en-US}}

{{Main|American Rescue Plan Act of 2021}}

{{See also|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the environment#Investments and other economic measures}}

The first part of the plan resulted in a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, known as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. It was signed into law on March 11 using the procedure of reconciliation, allowing it to go into effect with unanimous Democratic support in the Senate and no Republican votes.{{Cite web|last=Segers|first=Grace|date=March 12, 2021|title=Biden signs $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan into law|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-signs-covid-relief-bill-american-rescue-plan-into-law/|url-status=live|access-date=May 22, 2021|website=CBS News|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312131311/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-signs-covid-relief-bill-american-rescue-plan-into-law/ |archive-date=March 12, 2021 }}{{cite news|last1=Wasson|first1=Erik|date=February 2, 2021|title=Senate Democrats Move to Put Biden Stimulus Plan on Fast Track|work=Bloomberg|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-02/senate-democrats-move-to-put-biden-stimulus-plan-on-fast-track|access-date=May 22, 2021}}

File:P20210331AS-1892 (51131137370).jpg

On March 31, 2021,{{Cite news|last=Siegel|first=Rachel|date=March 31, 2021|title=What's in Biden's $2 trillion jobs and infrastructure plan?|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/03/31/what-is-in-biden-infrastructure-plan/|url-status=live|access-date=June 23, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401015541/https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/03/31/what-is-in-biden-infrastructure-plan/ |archive-date=April 1, 2021 }} Biden unveiled details of his $2.3 trillion American Jobs Plan (which, when combined with the American Families Plan, amounted to $4 trillion in infrastructure spending),{{Cite web|last1=Everett|first1=Burgess|last2=Levine|first2=Marianne|date=May 24, 2021|title='Time to move on': Infrastructure talks near collapse|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/24/infrastructure-talks-near-collapse-490637|url-status=live|access-date=May 25, 2021|website=Politico|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524234502/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/24/infrastructure-talks-near-collapse-490637 |archive-date=May 24, 2021 }} which he pitched as "a transformative effort to overhaul the nation's economy".{{Cite news|last1=Stein|first1=Jeff|last2=Eilperin|first2=Juliet|last3=Laris|first3=Michael|last4=Romm|first4=Tony|date=April 1, 2021|title=White House unveils $2 trillion infrastructure and climate plan, setting up giant battle over size and cost of government|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/03/31/biden-infrastructure-climate-plan/|url-status=live|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331100334/https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/03/31/biden-infrastructure-climate-plan/ |archive-date=March 31, 2021 }} The plan aimed to create millions of jobs, bolster labor unions, expand labor protections, and address climate change.{{Cite web|last1=Davidson|first1=Kate|last2=Omeokwe|first2=Amara|date=April 3, 2021|title=Biden's Infrastructure Package Is Designed to Boost Unions|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/bidens-infrastructure-package-is-designed-to-boost-unions-11617454410|url-status=live|website=The Wall Street Journal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210403125650/https://www.wsj.com/articles/bidens-infrastructure-package-is-designed-to-boost-unions-11617454410 |archive-date=April 3, 2021 }}

The plan called for $621 billion of spending on transportation infrastructure. That included $115 billion towards highways and roads, $80 billion to improve American railways, $85 billion to modernize public transportation, $25 billion for airports, $174 billion to incentivize adoption of electric vehicles (including $15 billion for the construction of 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations by 2030), and $17 billion for inland waterways, coastal ports, land ports of entry and ferries. It also called for electrifying at least 20% of the country's yellow school bus fleet. In March 2024, the Washington Post published an article called, "Biden’s $7.5 billion investment in EV charging has only produced 7 stations in two years."[https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2024/03/28/ev-charging-stations-slow-rollout/ Biden’s $7.5 billion investment in EV charging has only produced 7 stations in two years], Washington Post, March 29, 2024

The plan called for $100 billion in funding for American energy infrastructure, aiming to transition the country to 100% carbon-free electricity production by 2035. It intended to establish a "Grid Deployment Authority" within the Department of Energy to support the construction of high-voltage transmission lines.{{Cite web|date=March 31, 2021|title=Fact Sheet: The American Jobs Plan|url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/03/31/fact-sheet-the-american-jobs-plan/|access-date=March 31, 2021|website=The White House|language=en-US}}

The plan included $213 billion for building and retrofitting more than 2 million homes and $40 billion to improve public housing. It also sought to end exclusionary zoning.{{Cite web|last=Nilsen|first=Ella|date=March 31, 2021|title=Joe Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure and jobs plan, explained|url=https://www.vox.com/2021/3/31/22357179/biden-two-trillion-infrastructure-jobs-plan-explained|url-status=live|website=Vox|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331124725/https://www.vox.com/2021/3/31/22357179/biden-two-trillion-infrastructure-jobs-plan-explained |archive-date=March 31, 2021 }} The plan included $111 billion for modernizing drinking water, wastewater, and storm water systems. $45 billion of that was intended to replace 100% of the country's lead water piping. The plan aimed to deliver universal high-speed broadband coverage.

The AJP proposed a $16 billion investment in plugging "orphan wells", abandoned wells that continually release methane emissions.{{Cite web|last1=Deiseroth|first1=Danielle|last2=Smith|first2=Aidan|title=Progressive Guide to the American Jobs Plan – Plugging 'Orphan Wells' and Cleaning Abandoned Mines|url=https://www.filesforprogress.org/memos/progressive-guide-ajp-orphan-wells-abandoned-mines.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=June 19, 2021|website=Data for Progress|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201454/https://www.filesforprogress.org/memos/progressive-guide-ajp-orphan-wells-abandoned-mines.pdf |archive-date=June 24, 2021 }} The plan contained $100 billion to construct and upgrade public schools, $25 billion to upgrade childcare facilities, and $12 billion to spend on community colleges. The AJP also contained a proposal for a Civilian Climate Corps modeled loosely after the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) created during the New Deal.{{Cite web|date=February 8, 2021|title=Biden's Civilian Climate Corps comes straight out of the New Deal|url=https://grist.org/politics/bidens-civilian-climate-corps-comes-straight-out-of-the-new-deal/|access-date=June 23, 2021|website=Grist|language=en-us}}{{efn|On April 20, 2021, Democratic Senator Ed Markey and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced new legislation for a Civilian Climate Corps, which aims to hire 1.5 million Americans over five years;{{Cite web|title=HR 2670 – Civilian Climate Corps for Jobs and Justice Act|url=https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr2670/BILLS-117hr2670ih.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=July 4, 2021|website=Congress.gov|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702033659/https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr2670/BILLS-117hr2670ih.pdf |archive-date=July 2, 2021 }}{{Cite web|last=Markey|first=Ed|date=April 20, 2021|title=Senator Markey and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Introduce Civilian Climate Corps for Jobs and Justice to Rebuild America|url=https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-and-rep-ocasio-cortez-introduce-civilian-climate-corps-for-jobs-and-justice-to-rebuild-america|url-status=live|website=Ed Markey Senator Website|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420154546/https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-and-rep-ocasio-cortez-introduce-civilian-climate-corps-for-jobs-and-justice-to-rebuild-america |archive-date=April 20, 2021 }} three months later, a version of this was promoted in a letter by 80 congresspeople for potential inclusion in the reconciliation bill.{{Cite web|last=Frazin|first=Rachel|date=July 20, 2021|title=Democrats lay out vision for Civilian Climate Corps|url=https://thehill.com/policy/equilibrium-sustainability/563848-dozens-of-democrats-lay-out-vision-for-civilian-climate-corps|url-status=live|access-date=August 3, 2021|website=The Hill|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720142513/https://thehill.com/policy/equilibrium-sustainability/563848-dozens-of-democrats-lay-out-vision-for-civilian-climate-corps |archive-date=July 20, 2021 }}}} It proposed that $10 billion be allocated for the program, which the White House stated would create somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000 jobs. In contrast, during its nine years in operation, around three million people participated in the original CCC.{{Cite web|date=February 23, 2021|title=A $9 billion plan could bring Biden's conservation corps to life|url=https://grist.org/climate/conservation-corps-act-9-billion-biden-ccc/|access-date=June 23, 2021|website=Grist|language=en-us}}

The plan would have spent $180 billion on research and development, including substantial expenditures in clean energy and basic climate research. It would also have spent $50 billion on semiconductor technology. The plan set aside $300 billion for manufacturing expenditures.

The plan included $400 billion to expand access to home- or community-based care for seniors and people with disabilities.

The passage of the proposed Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act) was included as part of the proposal.{{Cite web|last=Gotsch|first=Ted|date=April 21, 2021|title=American Jobs Plan Will Grow the Middle Class|url=https://teamster.org/2021/04/american-jobs-plan-will-grow-the-middle-class/|access-date=June 23, 2021|website=International Brotherhood of Teamsters|language=en}} The legislation would bolster unions by overriding state right-to-work laws{{Cite web|last=Gonyea|first=Don|date=March 9, 2021|title=House Democrats Pass Bill That Would Protect Worker Organizing Efforts|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/03/09/975259434/house-democrats-pass-bill-that-would-protect-worker-organizing-efforts|url-status=live|website=NPR|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310023548/https://www.npr.org/2021/03/09/975259434/house-democrats-pass-bill-that-would-protect-worker-organizing-efforts |archive-date=March 10, 2021 }}{{Cite web|date=May 18, 2021|title=Federal PRO Act Would Negate States' Right-to-Work Laws|url=https://wvmetronews.com/2021/05/18/federal-pro-act-would-negate-states-right-to-work-laws/|access-date=June 23, 2021|website=WV MetroNews|language=en-US}} and safeguarding union elections.{{Cite web|title=The PRO Act's Potential Effect on Employers|url=https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/the-pro-act-s-potential-effect-on-5634391/|access-date=June 23, 2021|website=JD Supra|language=en}}

The funding was planned to come from raising the corporate tax rate as a part of a proposed "Made in America Tax Plan". This would have partially reversed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The corporate tax rate would have been raised from 21% to 28%, bringing it closer to the pre-2017 rate of 35%. The plan aimed to raise over $2 trillion by 2036, with other methods including ending subsidies for fossil fuel companies, increasing the global minimum tax from roughly 13% to 21%, and deficit spending.{{Cite web|last=Davidson|first=Kate|date=April 1, 2021|title=Biden Infrastructure Plan Aims to Boost Economy's Productivity Over Time|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-infrastructure-plan-aims-to-boost-economys-productivity-over-time-11617269403|url-status=live|website=The Wall Street Journal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401093903/https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-infrastructure-plan-aims-to-boost-economys-productivity-over-time-11617269403 |archive-date=April 1, 2021 }}

Also planned was an increase of the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) from 10.5% to 21%.{{Cite web|date=March 31, 2021|title=President Biden's Infrastructure Plan Raises Taxes on U.S. Production|url=https://taxfoundation.org/biden-infrastructure-american-jobs-plan/|access-date=April 1, 2021|website=Tax Foundation|language=en-US}} GILTI taxes target intangible assets like patents, copyright, and trademarks that can sometimes be used by companies for tax avoidance.{{Cite news|title=What is global intangible low-taxed income and how is it taxed under the TCJA?|url=https://www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/what-global-intangible-low-taxed-income-and-how-it-taxed-under-tcja|access-date=April 1, 2021|website=Tax Policy Center|language=en}} This tax was created in 2017 to discourage U.S.-based companies from shifting profits to corporate tax havens.

{{main|Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act}}

On July 28, Senate negotiators announced that a $1.2 trillion agreement for physical infrastructure had been reached.{{Cite web|last=Walsh|first=Deirdre|date=July 28, 2021|title=Bipartisan Senate Negotiators Say They Reach A Deal On Infrastructure After Hiccups|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/07/28/1021768174/bipartisan-senate-negotiators-say-they-reach-a-deal-on-infrastructure-after-hicc|url-status=live|access-date=July 28, 2021|website=NPR.org|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728175342/https://www.npr.org/2021/07/28/1021768174/bipartisan-senate-negotiators-say-they-reach-a-deal-on-infrastructure-after-hicc |archive-date=July 28, 2021 }} According to NPR.org, this included:

• $110 billion for roads, bridges and other major projects;
• $11 billion in transportation safety programs;
• $39 billion in transit modernization and improved accessibility;
• $66 billion in rail;
• $7.5 billion to build a national network of electric vehicle chargers;
• $73 billion in power infrastructure and clean energy transmission and
• $65 billion for broadband development.

The bill also made the Minority Business Development Agency a permanent agency.{{Cite web|last=Johnson|first=Marty|date=September 24, 2021|title=US mayors, Black leaders push for passage of bipartisan infrastructure bill|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/573846-us-mayors-black-leaders-push-for-passage-of-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill|url-status=live|access-date=September 26, 2021|website=The Hill|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924182658/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/573846-us-mayors-black-leaders-push-for-passage-of-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill |archive-date=September 24, 2021 }} On August 10, The Senate voted 69–31 to advance the bill.{{Cite web|last1=Garrison|first1=Joey|last2=King|first2=Ledyard|date=2021-06-24|title='We have a deal': Biden reaches $1.2 trillion infrastructure compromise with bipartisan group of senators|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/06/24/biden-senators-agree-1-2-trillion-infrastructure-deal/5333841001/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-24|website=USA Today|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624170200/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/06/24/biden-senators-agree-1-2-trillion-infrastructure-deal/5333841001/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 }}{{Cite web|last1=Kapur|first1=Sahil|last2=Thorp V|first2=Frank|last3=Caldwell|first3=Leigh Ann|date=July 19, 2021|title=Schumer sets Wednesday vote to begin Senate debate on infrastructure deal|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/schumer-sets-wednesday-vote-begin-senate-debate-infrastructure-deal-n1274397|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-20|website=NBC News|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720001007/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/schumer-sets-wednesday-vote-begin-senate-debate-infrastructure-deal-n1274397 |archive-date=July 20, 2021 }} On November 5, the House of Representatives passed it, 228–206.{{Cite web|last=Pramuk|first=Jacob|date=2021-11-05|title=House passes $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that includes transport, broadband and utility funding, sends it to Biden|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/05/house-passes-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill-sends-it-to-biden.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-05|website=CNBC|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106033041/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/05/house-passes-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill-sends-it-to-biden.html |archive-date=November 6, 2021 }} Biden signed the legislation into law on November 15.{{Cite web|last=Pettypiece|first=Shannon|date=2021-11-15|title=Biden signs infrastructure bill marking victory in hard-fought legislative battle|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-sign-infrastructure-bill-marking-victory-hard-fought-legislative-battle-n1283910|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-15|website=NBC News|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115200818/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-sign-infrastructure-bill-marking-victory-hard-fought-legislative-battle-n1283910 |archive-date=November 15, 2021 }}

The Center for American Progress (CAP), a liberal think tank, lauded the original AJP for its focus on climate justice.{{Cite web|last1=Higgins|first1=Trevor|last2=Gout|first2=Elise|last3=Hardin|first3=Sally|date=April 26, 2021|title=How the American Jobs Plan Delivers Climate Action|url=https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2021/04/26/498768/american-jobs-plan-delivers-climate-action/|access-date=June 23, 2021|website=Center for American Progress|language=en-US}} The program also received support from organized labor, with AFL–CIO president Richard Trumka praising the plan for its inclusion of the PRO Act.{{Cite web|last=Alpert|first=Lynn|date=April 20, 2021|title=Labor reacts to Biden's American Jobs Plan|url=https://labortribune.com/labor-reacts-to-bidens-american-jobs-plan/|access-date=June 23, 2021|website=The Labor Tribune|language=en-US}} Senator Bernie Sanders spoke favorably of the plan while arguing that the White House should go even further.{{Cite web|author=Cole|first=Devan|date=April 4, 2021|title=Biden calls his infrastructure plan bold. Bernie Sanders says more work must be done|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/04/politics/bernie-sanders-jennifer-granholm-infrastructure-plan-biden-cnntv/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=June 23, 2021|website=CNN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404152334/https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/04/politics/bernie-sanders-jennifer-granholm-infrastructure-plan-biden-cnntv/index.html |archive-date=April 4, 2021 }}

Political conservatives dismissed the original legislation as costly and challenged the inclusion of policy areas not traditionally considered "infrastructure".{{Cite web|last=Brooks|first=Emily|date=April 7, 2021|title='Child care is infrastructure': Democrats mocked for expanded definition beyond roads and bridges|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/child-care-infrastructure-democrats-mocked-expanded-definition-beyond-roads-bridges|access-date=June 23, 2021|website=Washington Examiner|language=en}} Republican Senator Ted Cruz criticized the plan, arguing that it would lead to job losses and served as a "Green New Deal-lite masquerading as an infrastructure plan".{{Cite web|title=Sen. Cruz: Biden's Infrastructure Plan and Tax Hike Puts American Jobs Last|url=https://www.cruz.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=5728|url-status=live|access-date=June 23, 2021|website=www.cruz.senate.gov| date=March 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407230540/https://www.cruz.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=5728 |archive-date=April 7, 2021 }} Republican House minority leader Kevin McCarthy called the plan "[m]ajor expansions of government agencies and even more inflation that will lead to higher costs for all Americans."{{cite news|url=https://www.koin.com/news/washington-dc/biden-slashes-trillions-from-build-back-better-plan/|title=Biden slashes trillions from Build Back Better plan|last=Limon|first=Alexandra|work=KOIN|date=October 29, 2021|accessdate=November 1, 2021|archive-date=November 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101013606/https://www.koin.com/news/washington-dc/biden-slashes-trillions-from-build-back-better-plan/|url-status=dead}}

In April 2021, the Biden administration announced details of the American Families Plan (AFP).

The third part of the original Build Back Better agenda, the American Families Plan, set aside $1 trillion in new spending and $800 billion in tax credits (both over ten years).{{Cite web|last1=Tankersley|first1=Jim|last2=Goldstein|first2=Dana|date=April 28, 2021|title=Biden Details $1.8 Trillion Plan for Workers, Students and Families|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/28/us/politics/biden-american-families-plan.html|url-status=live|website=The New York Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428090218/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/28/us/politics/biden-american-families-plan.html |archive-date=April 28, 2021 }} This included:

• $200 billion in spending on childcare, ensuring that no family has to pay more than 7% of their income on childcare,
• ~$200 billion to make pre-kindergarten universally available for free,
• >$200 billion towards government-subsidized paid family and medical leave,{{Cite web|last=Lopez|first=German|date=April 23, 2021|title=Biden's federal paid leave plan, explained in 600 words|url=https://www.vox.com/2021/4/23/22399439/biden-paid-leave-america-families-plan|url-status=live|website=Vox|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423154554/https://www.vox.com/2021/4/23/22399439/biden-paid-leave-america-families-plan |archive-date=April 23, 2021 }}
• ~$300 billion towards making community college free for all Americans, and
• ~$200 billion on health insurance subsidies available through the Affordable Care Act healthcare exchanges.{{Cite news|last=Stein|first=Jeff|date=April 24, 2021|title=White House's new $1.8 trillion 'families plan' reflects ambitions – and limits – of Biden presidency|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/04/24/biden-families-plan-tax/|url-status=live|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426132610/https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/04/24/biden-families-plan-tax/ |archive-date=April 26, 2021 }}{{Cite web|last=Schroeder|first=Robert|date=April 20, 2021|title=Biden's 'American Families Plan' is coming. What's in it?|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/bidens-american-families-plan-is-coming-whats-in-it-11618943914|url-status=live|website=MarketWatch|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420184137/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/bidens-american-families-plan-is-coming-whats-in-it-11618943914 |archive-date=April 20, 2021 }}

It would have extended the boost to the child tax credit made in the American Rescue Plan, which effectively turned the credit into a child allowance.{{Cite web|last=DeParle|first=Jason|date=March 7, 2021|title=In the Stimulus Bill, a Policy Revolution in Aid for Children|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/07/us/politics/child-tax-credit-stimulus.html|url-status=live|website=The New York Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307204149/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/07/us/politics/child-tax-credit-stimulus.html |archive-date=March 7, 2021 }}{{Cite web|last1=Pramuk|first1=Jacob|last2=Mui|first2=Ylan|date=April 20, 2021|title=Biden's recovery plan for families set to cost more than $1 trillion, extend enhanced child tax credit|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/20/biden-family-recovery-plan-to-cost-more-than-1-trillion-extend-child-tax-credit.html|url-status=live|website=CNBC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420172747/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/20/biden-family-recovery-plan-to-cost-more-than-1-trillion-extend-child-tax-credit.html |archive-date=April 20, 2021 }} It would also revoke a federal restriction on people with felony drug convictions from obtaining food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).{{Cite web|last=Delaney|first=Arthur|date=April 28, 2021|title=Biden's 'American Families Plan' Would Open Food Benefits To People Convicted Of Felonies|url=https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_608977cae4b05af50dbe6d6e/amp?p43=&__twitter_impression=true|url-status=live|website=HuffPost|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428203444/https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_608977cae4b05af50dbe6d6e/amp?p43=&__twitter_impression=true |archive-date=April 28, 2021 }}

The bill was to have been at least partially funded by a number of tax hikes on high-income Americans and investors, including restoring the top marginal income tax rate to its pre-2017 level of 39.6% and nearly doubling the capital gains tax for people earning more than $1 million, as well as eliminating a provision in the tax code that reduces capital gains on some inherited assets, like vacation homes. It would also have raised revenue by boosting the Internal Revenue Service's budget by $80 billion (over ten years), which the White House estimated could raise over $700 billion in revenue that otherwise would have been lost to tax evasion.{{Cite web|last1=Tankersley|first1=Jim|last2=Rappeport|first2=Alan|date=April 27, 2021|title=Biden Seeks $80 Billion to Beef Up I.R.S. Audits of High-Earners|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/27/business/economy/biden-american-families-plan.html|url-status=live|website=The New York Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427090328/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/27/business/economy/biden-american-families-plan.html |archive-date=April 27, 2021 }}{{Cite news|last=Stein|first=Jeff|date=April 27, 2021|title=White House seeks to make massive boost to IRS enforcement centerpiece of new spending plan|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/04/27/irs-biden-american-families-plan/|url-status=live|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427150950/https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/04/27/irs-biden-american-families-plan/ |archive-date=April 27, 2021 }} It would also have required banks to report total account outflows and inflows to the IRS to help detect tax evasion.{{Cite web|date=May 2021|title=The American Families Plan Tax Compliance Agenda|url=https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/The-American-Families-Plan-Tax-Compliance-Agenda.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030101915/https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/The-American-Families-Plan-Tax-Compliance-Agenda.pdf|archive-date=October 30, 2021|access-date=November 1, 2021|website=United States Department of the Treasury}}

{{Main|Build Back Better Act}}

File:2021-11-19 Nancy Pelosi BBBA.webm's speech of November 2021 summarizing the final contents of the House bill]]

A $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill that included measures related to climate change, family aid, and expansions to Medicare was rolled out, but failed to win the support of Republicans or Democratic senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema.{{Cite web|last1=Emma|first1=Caitlin|last2=Scholtes|first2=Jennifer|date=2021-07-14|title=Democrats unveil $3.5T go-it-alone plan to fulfill Biden's agenda|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/13/democrats-spending-plan-biden-agenda-499593|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-14|website=Politico|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714013012/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/13/democrats-spending-plan-biden-agenda-499593 |archive-date=July 14, 2021 }}{{Cite web|last=Bolton|first=Alexander|date=October 5, 2021|title=Manchin opens door to deal in range of $1.9T to $2.2T|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/575377-manchin-opens-door-to-deal-in-range-of-19t-to-22t|url-status=live|access-date=October 6, 2021|website=The Hill|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005173601/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/575377-manchin-opens-door-to-deal-in-range-of-19t-to-22t |archive-date=October 5, 2021 }} On October 28, 2021, the White House released a new $1.75 trillion framework, and the House of Representatives passed the bill on November 19, 2021, but it still struggled to win Democratic Senator Joe Manchin's support for using the reconciliation process.{{Cite web|date=2021-10-28|title=President Biden Announces the Build Back Better Framework|url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/10/28/president-biden-announces-the-build-back-better-framework/|access-date=2021-10-28|website=The White House|language=en-US}} After it ultimately failed to match his envisioned cost, Manchin rejected the bill, dooming its passage.

{{Main|Inflation Reduction Act of 2022}}

In July 2022, revived negotiations between Manchin and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer yielded a deal on a slimmed-down and reworked version of the original bill, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. This bill would raise $737 billion in revenue while spending $437 billion. The remaining $300 billion would go toward deficit reduction. The bill's main goals include reducing current and future inflation, reforming corporate taxing, lowering prescription drug prices for consumers, extending health insurance subsidies through the Affordable Care Act, and curbing greenhouse gas emissions while boosting domestic energy production.{{Cite web |title=Manchin's latest shocker: A $700B deal |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/07/27/manchin-schumer-senate-deal-energy-taxes-00048325 |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=Politico |date=July 27, 2022 |language=en}}{{cite web |date=August 11, 2022 |title=Summary: The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 |url=https://www.democrats.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/inflation_reduction_act_one_page_summary.pdf |access-date=August 12, 2022 |publisher=Senate Democratic Leadership |postscript=.Estimates from the United States Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation or Congressional Budget Office, depending on the number.}}

The Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act on August 7, 2022, on a 51–50 vote, with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Kamala Harris,{{Cite web |title=Senate passes Democrats' sweeping climate, health and tax bill, delivering win for Biden |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/inflation-reduction-act-senate-pass-climate-healthcare-tax-bill/ |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=www.cbsnews.com |date=August 8, 2022 |language=en-US}} returning the amended bill to the House. On August 12, the House passed the bill on a 220–207 vote,{{Cite news |title=House passes Inflation Reduction Act, sending climate and health bill to Biden |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2022/08/12/inflation-reduction-act-house-vote/ |access-date=2022-08-12 |issn=0190-8286}} and President Biden signed it into law on August 16.{{Cite web |author=Maegan Vazquez |title=Biden signs Inflation Reduction Act into law |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/16/politics/biden-inflation-reduction-act-signing/index.html |access-date=2022-08-16 |website=CNN|date=August 16, 2022 }}

{{Portal|United States}}

• European Green Deal
• Next Generation EU
• Square Deal
• The New Freedom
• New Deal
• Fair Deal
• New Frontier
• Great Society

Footnotes

{{notelist}}

Citations

{{reflist}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• [https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/build-back-better/ The Build Back Better Framework] at whitehouse.gov
• [https://joebiden.com/build-back-better/ Build Back Better: Joe Biden's Jobs and Economic Recovery Plan For Working Families] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801064822/https://joebiden.com/build-back-better/ |date=August 1, 2020 }}

{{Joe Biden}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Build Back Better Agenda}}

Category:Presidency of Joe Biden

Category:Climate change policy in the United States

Category:Low-carbon economy

Category:United States presidential domestic programs

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