The fate of federal spending legislation, dubbed the Build Back Better Act, is in doubt after Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) publicly announced his opposition on Dec. 19. In its current version, the bill could result in added financial incentives for contractors, while imposing potential costs in the form of new penalties and fines.
In an evenly split Senate, Manchin’s vote, along with every other Democrat, is needed to pass the $1.75-billion bill, now in the reconciliation process,