WASHINGTON - Many progressives have started lining up behind an emerging social and environment bill that's neither as big nor as bold as they wanted, thanks to an outnumbered but potent band of party moderates who've enjoyed a disproportionate say in shaping the measure.Democrats rolled past unanimous Republican opposition in August and pushed a 10-year, $3.5 trillion fiscal blueprint of the plan through Congress.
With talks continuing, the actual package — it reflects President Joe Biden's hopes for bolstering health care, family services and climate change efforts — seems likely to be around half that size.