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Rosendale votes no on Build Back Better 'boondoggle'

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A roughly $2 trillion social spending and climate plan passed out of the U.S House Friday, without the support of Montana’s lone congressman.

Montana Republican Representative Matt Rosendale opposed the so-called ‘Build Back Better’ bill.

The measure narrowly passed out of the U.S. House Friday morning on a near party-line vote of 220 to 213.

Supporters say it contains provisions to — among other things — address climate change, lower childcare and prescription drug costs while simultaneously implementing tax hikes on the wealthy and corporations.

In a statement from Rep. Matt Rosendale’s office released Friday morning he said it "represents the largest tax-and-spend bill in American history."

Rosendale describes it as a "boondoggle" that advances "the far-left’s so-called environmental justice agenda." Rosendale also objects to the bill’s mass-legalization program for undocumented immigrants.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office Thursday said the spending bill would add about $160 billion to the deficit over the next decade, taking into account $207 billion in projected revenue from a boost in tax enforcement. The Biden administration disputes the CBO's assessment.

The measure next moves to the U.S. Senate where it faces an uncertain future.
Copyright 2021 Montana Public Radio. To see more, visit Montana Public Radio.

Edward O'Brien is Montana Public Radio's Associate News Director.