Post a Comment Print Share on Facebook

Biden at Capitol, Democrats cut back on $3.5T plan

After days of frenetic negotiations, President Joe Biden visited Capitol Hill Friday to meet lawmakers.

- 1605 reads.

Biden at Capitol, Democrats cut back on $3.5T plan

Biden was welcomed by party leaders, and he headed straight to a private meeting of House Democrats. Biden was greeted by party leaders and proceeded to a private meeting with House Democrats.

Jen Psaki, Jen's press secretary, stated that "We have made some progress." "Compromise means everyone giving a little. This is the stage that we are at.

Despite Speaker Nancy Pelosi's assurances that Congress would vote on the $1 trillion infrastructure bill, which is popular but has been ensnared by the debate over Biden’s larger measure, Congress had stopped all action. As negotiations dragged on, voting on Friday seemed increasingly unlikely, putting at risk the president's large domestic agenda.

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin from West Virginia held outhopes to reach a quick compromise, despite hours spent on shuttle diplomacy late on Thursday with White House aides. He refused to give up on his demands for a smaller overall package of $1.5 trillion. This is too little for progressive lawmakers, who refuse to vote on the public work measure without a commitment Biden’s broader frameworkon a larger bill.

Talks raged about a compromise around the $2 trillion mark. A quick deal was becoming increasingly impossible for the moment, however, as Manchin stepped in. Democrats were pleased to welcome Biden's visit, despite their complaints about not hearing enough about the president's plans for the future.

Rep. Dean Phillips, Minnesota said that "it's his turn to stand up."

Due to ongoing negotiations, Biden chose to stay in Washington on Friday rather than travel to Delaware as he does so often on weekends. According to a poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center, his public approval rating dropped.

If they fail to resolve the impasse, the president and his party will face a potentially embarrassing setback.

Biden's larger proposal is a long-in-the-making collection Democratic priorities. It would essentially increase taxes on corporations and wealthy people and redirect that money into government programs that improve the health and education of millions of Americans.

Biden claims that the ultimate price tag would be zero because tax revenue would cover spending costs. Higher rates for businesses earning over $5 million per year and individuals earning more $400,000 per year (or $450,000 for couples) are both possible.

"We know that we have to get everyone on board to be able close this deal," stated Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), the leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. "We are waiting for that."

Frustrated and losing trust, centrist Democrats saw the promise vote slip on the first part of Biden’s proposal, the $1 trillion slimmer public works bill. As progressives used their leverage, they watched as the promised vote was lost.

Pelosi asked members of the private caucus to stand for the infrastructure package during a meeting on Friday. Most did, according to the people in the room. Pelosi appears to be willing to take the risk of failure, even though she has few votes.

Avatar
Your Name
Post a Comment
Characters Left:
Your comment has been forwarded to the administrator for approval.×
Warning! Will constitute a criminal offense, illegal, threatening, offensive, insulting and swearing, derogatory, defamatory, vulgar, pornographic, indecent, personality rights, damaging or similar nature in the nature of all kinds of financial content, legal, criminal and administrative responsibility for the content of the sender member / members are belong.