House Majority Leader Hoyer: 'I'm confident that a version of Build Back Better will pass'

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer predicted that the Democrat-led Congress would pass a new version of the House-passed multitrillion-dollar Build Back Better Act, which includes much of President Biden's social and climate agendas.

The version that has stalled in the Democrat-led 50-50 Senate includes new federal benefits programs for qualified individuals such as universal pre-K and support for child care. It also contains billions of dollars in tax credits for electric vehicle purchases and elimination of the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap.

The bill would also extend the expanded child tax credit, at a cost of almost $1.5 trillion over 10 years. 

"We passed the Build Back Better Act," Hoyer said on a press call with reporters Tuesday. "The Senate is now working on that. Obviously, the bill as we passed it through the House has not been able to pass. But I believe, and I'm confident that a version of Build Back Better will pass and hopefully will pass in the near term."

Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, came out in opposition to the House-passed version of the legislation, citing concerns over record inflation.

Senate Democrats need all 50 votes comprising their razor thin majority (with the vice president breaking ties) on board to pass the bill using budget reconciliation to avoid the filibuster and not rely on GOP votes.

"I am hopeful that we're going to be successful," Hoyer said.