Biden Administration Announces Pared Down “Build Back Better” Framework

On Thursday, October 28, the Biden administration released the Build Back Better Framework. At $1.75 trillion (or $1.85 trillion with immigration funding), it is a pared-down version of the original $3.5 trillion infrastructure proposal.

The Build Back Better Framework funds several programs, including social, climate, family, and job projects. The framework will guide the drafting of legislative language.

Immigration Reform

The framework also includes a $100 billion investment to “reform our broken immigration system, consistent with the Senate’s reconciliation rules, as well as reducing backlogs, expanding legal representation, and making the asylum system and border processing more efficient and humane.” However, the $100 billion for immigration is not included in the $1.75 trillion proposal total.

Erickson Insights

The next step for the immigration portion of the Build Back Better Framework is approval from the Senate Parliamentarian, consistent with the Senate’s reconciliation rules.

If passed in its entirety, the Build Back Better program would mean significant new investments in children and caregivers, climate change, health care coverage expansion, affordable housing, and other social programs.