Let’s have an honest accounting of what is really happening with these ever evolving negotiations. First, instead of centering the needs of the American people, corporate Democrats have purely been about lining the pockets and serving the interests of the donor class.
If you really want to know why a provision is being killed, all you have to do is follow the money…
The US Chamber of Congress—the face of corporate greed—is working over time to kill the bill, and already spent $30 million this year on lobbyists, along with a six figure ad campaign. opensecrets.org/federal-lobbyi…
Big Pharma—desperate to keep drug prices as high as possible—has spent $15 million. opensecrets.org/federal-lobbyi…
The oil and gas industry has spent over $55 million. opensecrets.org/federal-lobbyi…
A shadowy group called “Center Forward” is running ads everywhere to reward politicians trying to slash the bill.
Shocker! They receive $1.5 million a year from Big Pharma. nytimes.com/2021/10/04/us/…
So how has that played out in negotiations?
Let’s start with climate. The oil and gas industry all but killed cornerstone climate portions of the bill because it hurt coal, oil, and gas corporations. cnn.com/2021/10/15/pol…
How about free community college, a key promise Democrats have run on since President Obama ran?
Dead, thanks to the largest recipient of cash from for-profit colleges in Congress. cnn.com/2021/10/24/pol…
How about lowering prescription drugs, one of the most popular policies in the world?
Slashed after a multimillion dollar lobbying blitz by drug corporations.
How about lowering the Medicare age or expanding it to cover dental, vision and hearing?
We are still working, but no lowering the age, no dental, and no vision, according to the latest negotiations.
Paid leave is just the latest axe that might fall—not because of popular opposition—but because it goes against the interests of corporations and the Members of Congress who do their bidding.
To be clear, President Joe Biden *ran* and won on these values. These are the values of the Democratic Party.
It is corporate greed, and the lawmakers who serve them, who are betraying the values of our party and the American people.
We did not come to Congress to watch our entire agenda get torpedoed by corporate lobbyists, billionaires, and coal company owners hellbent on screwing over the American people.
It’s time to bring to the floor a bill that prioritizes people over corporations.
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