John Oliver goes after Democrats who are blocking Biden’s Build Back Better agenda
On Last Week Tonight Sunday with John Oliver Sunday, the host talked about the Build Back Better Act, a key part of President Biden’s agenda, and why it is in danger of being blocked.
And while there are at least two Senators who aren’t on board, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, Oliver said they aren’t even around to explain themselves. And now, with the bipartisan infrastructure bill on shaky ground as well due to the issues surrounding the Build Back Better Act, Oliver is demanding more from those who are standing in the way.
“This bill could materially benefit people's lives. And if you are blocking it, you owe people more than vague platitudes shouted from a boat, and a cutesy, ‘I'm in the senate,’ comment,” Oliver said. “Because if these two keep this s*** up, their window for saying, ‘I'm in the senate,’ may rapidly be closing.”
Video transcript
JOHN OLIVER: There is a problem here, because to pass the bill Democrats are using something called 'reconciliation' to evade a filibuster, which requires the support of every single Democratic Senator. And unfortunately, moderates like Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin argue it costs too much.
KYLIE MAR: On "Last Week Tonight Sunday", host John Oliver talked about the Build Back Better Act, a key part of President Biden's agenda that contains things like steps to address climate change and an extension of the child tax credit.
And while there are at least two Senators who aren't on board, as Oliver pointed out, they aren't even around.
JOHN OLIVER: In Manchin's case, he wasn't even moved when some West Virginians even tried to make their case to him in person this week, paddling out to his boat in kayaks to hear him explain why he's holding things up.
I am not sure which stage of capitalism we've reached if we're now kayaking out to a politician's yacht to beg him to help the poor, but it's got to be one of the last ones.
KYLIE MAR: And Oliver said that Kyrsten Sinema, who left in the middle of negotiations for a fundraising event at a high end resort and spa over the weekend, is doing her best to not discuss the bill as well.
JOHN OLIVER: It's been a lot less fun this week watching her turn basic questions about her bargaining position into a [BLEEP] game.
REPORTER: What do you say to progressives that are frustrated that they don't know where you are?
KYRSTEN SINEMA: I'm in the senate.
JOHN OLIVER: Oh, [BLEEP] right off.
KYLIE MAR: And now, with the bipartisan infrastructure bill on shaky ground as well because of the issues surrounding the Build Back Better Act, Oliver is demanding more from those who are standing in the way.
JOHN OLIVER: This bill could materially benefit people's lives. And if you are blocking it, you owe people more than vague platitudes shouted from the back of a boat, and a cutesy, "I'm in the senate," comment. Because if these to keep this [BLEEP] up, their window for saying, "I'm in the senate", may rapidly be closing.
