Bill Would Build Back Badly

David Catron explains at the American Spectator why the “Build Back Better” legislation is misnamed.

Less than 24 hours after the Congressional Budget Office announced that the “Build Back Better” (BBB) bill will increase the federal deficit by $367 billion, House Democrats passed the $1.75 trillion legislation with no GOP votes. This bill, essentially a far left wish list of climate and social spending boondoggles, will certainly exacerbate inflation if passed by the Senate. Thus the absence of public support for BBB. A new Harvard/Harris poll asked registered voters, “Do you think a $1.5 to $2 trillion dollar social spending bill will lead to more inflation, less inflation, or would it have no effect on inflation?” A majority (56%) answered, “More.”

It’s increasingly apparent that the specter of inflation is haunting the pocketbooks of most Americans. According to a new Economist/YouGov poll, 76 percent of Americans reported that the price of gas had “gone up a lot” during the past year. The survey also found that 65 percent had experienced significant price increases for food. Moreover, when likely voters are asked about how Build Back Better would affect the nation’s economy, it gets a thumbs down. A new survey released by the Trafalgar Group asked likely voters if BBB will be helpful or hurtful to America’s economic recovery?” A majority (52.4%) said that it would be very or somewhat hurtful. An analysis by the Tax Foundation agrees. …

… The hilarious response from the Democrats to this has been to claim that BBB will somehow bolster the economy and reduce inflationary pressure. ABC News quotes Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) making this preposterous claim: “Want to fight inflation? Support Build Back Better.” Vice President Harris delivered herself of this vapid assertion during an interview on ABC News’ “Good Morning America”: “When you look at the numbers, the whole point about inflation and why it hurts us is because prices go up. With the Build Back Better agenda, it’s going to bring the cost down.…”