Biden, Schumer Say Build Back Better Talks May Drag into 2022

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., acknowledged Friday that the Senate won’t be able to act on the House-passed Build Back Better Act budget reconciliation package (HR-5376) this year while talks with centrist Democrats remain at an impasse. The measure includes $500 million for NTIA connected device vouchers, $490 million for next-generation 911 tech upgrades and $300 million for the FCC Emergency Connectivity Fund (see 2111190042). The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and some 85 other groups are urging the Senate to remove the FTC privacy bureau funding (see 2112160038), and the National Emergency Number Association wants the chamber to restore the full $10 billion for NG-911 lawmakers originally proposed. Schumer acknowledged the delay after President Joe Biden said Thursday his talks with Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, will “continue next week.”