Drug Pricing Initiatives: Democrats renewed their efforts to pass drug pricing reform measures in the form of a revised H.R. 5376 (the Build Back Better Act, or BBBA). Democrats intend to adopt the BBBA as part of the budget reconciliation process, which allows passage in the Senate by a simple majority. Passage would require all 50 Democratic and independent senators’ votes, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote.

Senator Joe Manchin, one of the Democratic senators whose previous opposition to the BBBA derailed efforts at Senate passage, has indicated that he will only support certain measures intended to lower prescription drug prices and an extension of expanded Affordable Care Act subsidies that would otherwise expire at the end of 2022. President Biden issued a statement in response, urging prompt passage of drug pricing reform measures and vowing to address climate change and clean energy via Executive Order