Biden, Democrats may limit free college, childcare to shrink reconciliation bill -sources

[AZProgressive]

Sept 27 (Reuters) - The White House and U.S. Democrats are weighing attaching or strengthening income caps to a number of key agenda items, including electric vehicle rebates and free community college, to shrink the $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill and pacify spending hawks, according to two officials familiar with the discussions.

Discussions about these income limits, known as means tests in Washington lingo, come as Democrats struggle to agree on the size of the sprawling social safety net and climate change package, a signature piece of President Joe Biden's agenda.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki declined to comment on whether the administration would agree to income caps on things like free community college, but did note that means tests are common and that the president has supported placing income restrictions on government programs.

"Every family is not eligible for the child tax credit in this country. Every person is not eligible for the earned income tax credit," Psaki noted.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/white-house-democrats-look-means-test-way-shrink-reconciliation-bill-sources-2021-09-27/?taid=61524bcbc9cd470001335375&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

[dsc]

1. This is so damn dumb

so we end up penalizing our constituents and rewarding the GOP's on what planet it that a good idea.

[msongs]

3. the sinema manchin planet nt

[mcar]

2. Sounds reasonable to me

Let's get the help to those who need it, not to the rich and well off.

[empedocles]

4. Lets get legislation passed

[mcar]

6. Yes! Nt

[Fiendish Thingy]

5. As long as the tax hikes and climate interventions remain in the bill,

I don’t mind shaving a small amount from some of the social programs through income caps.

Let’s make the cutoff around 110% of that state’s median income per household; that would be around $88k in California.

[empedocles]

7. I defintely like your post, and many other of the suggested things, however, . . .

. . . it is of great importance to Joe that we pass legislation.

[joetheman]

8. We can always come back for it when we really take over the Senate with Manchin and Cinema gone.

There is always another way...believe it!

[WarGamer]

9. I was hoping they'd do another "Cash for Clunkers"

It was extremely efficient at getting high polluting vehicles off the road.

Maybe a $5000 credit for a pre-2000 v8 car and another $5000 credit if it's replaced with a full electric vehicle, even USED.

[joetheman]

10. Put in the military budget as National Defense Student GRANTS! Especially for certain degrees

that go toward building back better and environmental justice and protection, solid waste removal, cyber security, and clean water etc. It can be done. It was done before.