On Friday, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) voted against the Democrats’ $1.75 trillion Build Back Better bill, citing its expansion of the social welfare state and because the bill is not fully paid for. A report Thursday from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office revealed the bill will add $160 billion to the federal deficit over the next decade. Further, CBO reports the bill will add $800 billion to the debt in just the next five years.
The bill passed the U.S. House by a vote of 220-213.
“From day one, Republicans were pushed away from the negotiating table. Democrats decided to go it alone and did not include our constituents’ voices into these talks,” Rep. Kelly said. “This bloated bill does not serve the American people. Instead, it wastes nearly $2 trillion at a time when our national debt is nearing $29 trillion. I cannot support such spending.”
Among the specific items Rep. Kelly opposes in the bill:
- $550 billion for the Green New Deal
- $80 billion for the IRS to double the number of agents
- $412 billion in taxes on small businesses
- $12,500 tax subsidies for families making $500,000 to buy luxury electric vehicles
The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
