Congress accomplished voting on raising the debt ceiling limit this week but may not be able to get across the finish line the major spending “human” infrastructure package by the self-imposed Christmas deadline. As the days approach for the Senate holiday recess, it appears less likely that Democrats will advance the nearly $2 trillion package, which also includes $28 billion for agriculture conservation programs.

When President Joe Biden was asked if he believed he could get Build Back Better Act done this year, he responded, “I hope so. It’s going to be close.” And in response to another question, Biden says “some” progress has been made on reaching a deal on the BBB.

During a press briefing Wednesday afternoon, Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also reiterated the president is going to fight for Build Back Better and has had two “productive” conversations with Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., this week on the Build Back Better plan.

“We are optimistic that we will get this done before Christmas, and that is our focus, that is our hope, and that’s what we’re working towards,” Jean-Pierre says.  

However, a CBS report says the Democratic leaders’ self-imposed Christmas deadline may prove problematic as discussions between the president and Manchin “appear to be breaking down over the details of the measure.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stressed Wednesday that Democrats continued to work "on getting the Senate into a position where we can vote on the president's Build Back Better legislation," the report adds.

CBS reports a source familiar with the matter said the talks between Biden and Manchin have been "going poorly," with the two Democrats "far apart."

As to the discussions and intent of Manchin, Jean-Pierre says, “We believe the senator wants what we want, which is to deliver for the American people in a way that it has a real affect, especially during this time of COVID and getting the economy back.”

Meanwhile, Democrat agricultural leaders offer optimism and encouragement that the bill will pass and offers benefits for agriculture. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, was in Ohio Dec. 10 with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., was on CNN Sunday morning to tout the need for passage.

Related: Will the Build Back Better pass before Christmas?

However, Axios reports “some Senate Democrats are bracing for President Biden's Build Back Better package to get punted into 2022, despite Democratic leaders insisting the massive social and climate spending bill will pass before the end of this year.”

Axios adds, “Manchin isn't giving any indication he's in a hurry, especially after Friday's report showing inflation running at 6.8%.”

Speaking this week on a North American Meat Institute 2022 Legislative and Regulatory Outlook, Nathan Fretz, Meat Institute vice president for legislative affairs, explains without an agreement today, it’s challenging to accomplish the Senate’s goal of passage before Christmas. “I don’t see how it gets done this year.”

And even if the bill somehow clears the Senate, the House will also need to again take it up if changes are made. Then progressives in the House will have to decide whether a scaled-back version is better than no version at all.

As the mid-year elections loom in 2022, passage of BBB in 2022 becomes less likely as legislators weigh their re-election impact based on their vote. And if it does pass, it may require a lower price tag instead.

“An eye towards the 2022 elections will continue to be the rule next year,” Fretz adds. “Other than potentially finishing the Build Back Better bill, I don’t expect anything big next year.”