White House proposes smaller $1.7 trillion infrastructure package to try to sway skeptical Republica
Source: Washington Post
The White House told Senate Republicans on Friday it is open to reducing its infrastructure proposal down to $1.7 trillion in the hopes of securing a bipartisan deal, but GOP lawmakers signaled they are still disinclined to support a package carrying that price tag.
The exchange occurred during a private meeting earlier in the day between top aides to the Biden administration and about a half-dozen Republicans led by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.). The new offer, described afterward by White House press secretary Jen Psaki, appears to mark a decrease from the total $2.2 trillion Biden proposed earlier this spring.
This proposal exhibits a willingness to come down in size, giving on some areas that are important to the president, Psaki said.
But Republicans did not appear immediately swayed by the White Houses new spending target, according to two people familiar with the meeting who requested anonymity to describe a private conversation. One of the sources said the decrease is not as steep as it appears, reflecting efforts by the Biden administration to just shift spending to other legislative packages.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/05/21/white-house-republicans-infrastructure/
HUAJIAO
(2,391 posts)LetMyPeopleVote
(145,321 posts)If the GOP will not play ball, Biden will go back to old plan and use reconciliation
doc03
(35,348 posts)Celerity
(43,416 posts)If I find a current article I will post it.
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/550382-manchin-pumps-brakes-on-biden-infrastructure-plans
Senate Republicans proposed a $568 billion infrastructure counteroffer last week. Now, bipartisan talks on a compromise proposal between $600 billion and $1 trillion are just getting started. Manchin wants time for the talks to build momentum. For the sake of our country, we have to show we can work in a bipartisan way, he said Monday evening. I dont know what the rush is. Stay here a little bit, work a little bit, he advised colleagues. But Democrats are getting nervous about an extended timeline and worry that splitting Bidens infrastructure agenda into two or three pieces of legislation might mean that a substantial part of it gets left behind. Im the most anxious member of the Democratic caucus. I want to get it done and done quickly, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said Monday when asked how long Democrats are willing to wait on bipartisan infrastructure talks.
Manchin said over the weekend that he wants to focus on conventional infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water projects and expanded broadband internet, and he proposed splitting off about $400 billion in funding for home- and community-based caregivers for the elderly and people with disabilities, as well as billions of dollars for child care. While Manchin said such priorities are needed, he added that doesnt want to lump too many of them in a broad bill because he thinks it would be tougher to sell to the public. His remarks dealt a blow to other Senate Democrats who want to pass as large a package as possible and who called the $568 billion Republican proposal totally inadequate and a slap in the face. Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat, on Monday said he does not support splitting up Bidens $2.25 trillion infrastructure package into two pieces. Time is not on our side. We have so many things to do, he said. Immigration, policing. All of these things are critical elements and we dont have a lot of time on the calendar. The sooner the better to keep everything together and move it in a package that works, he added of Bidens proposal.
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said he wants to move as quickly as possible, warning that past efforts to negotiate with Republicans, such as on the Affordable Care Act in 2009, ended up wasting time. We have learned that lesson in the past. I think we should have our ears open, we should listen to any great ideas, any good ideas that Republicans have. But obviously it cannot be an endless process. It has to move very quickly, he said Monday. Sanders balked at Manchins suggestion of segmenting out the home- and community-based care portions of the package. Manchin, however, is praising the $568 billion framework put together by fellow West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R) as a good start. The blueprint is focused on roads, bridges, transit systems, rail, water infrastructure and airports. Democrats are also nervous about Manchins opposition to Bidens proposal to raise the corporate tax rate to 28 percent, saying a 25 percent rate is more reasonable.
Nasruddin
(754 posts)I wish Senator Biden had proposed a bill more to the president's liking. Maybe next time he'll be more careful.
forgotmylogin
(7,530 posts)Evolve Dammit
(16,743 posts)EarlG
(21,949 posts)The Republicans wont go for this new proposal; they likely wouldnt even go for THEIR OWN $600 billion proposal if Biden agreed to it (witness their backtracking on the 1/6 Commission after receiving the concessions they asked for.)
This is intended to further demonstrate to voters that one side is interested in negotiating in good faith, while the other side are a bunch of useless obstructionists who dont give a crap about the countrys future.
HUAJIAO
(2,391 posts)Talitha
(6,593 posts)Winner, winner, Chicken dinner!
Joe knows what he's doing.
Bleacher Creature
(11,257 posts)Grins
(7,218 posts)Enough of this bringing us together...bipartisanship crap. Havent Democrats learned anything about Republicans in the last dozen years? So sick of this.
Biden: What? You dont like my $2.2 trillion package? Then you are going to HATE my $2.7 trillion package.
Go big or go home.
The Mouth
(3,150 posts)The President can *ask* for anything, but without the votes, nothing is happening.
LiberalArkie
(15,719 posts)HariSeldon
(455 posts)Set it up so portion for any state that opts out is redistributed among those opting in. Make the Republican mis-run states responsible for the redistribution to the Democratic states, or force them on record for accepting the "largesse."
bucolic_frolic
(43,182 posts)Biden really does understand everything.
COL Mustard
(5,906 posts)And said, we upped our offer, now up yours!!!!!
ZonkerHarris
(24,229 posts)bdamomma
(63,875 posts)GQP always obstructing more loyal to their lobbyists and donors.
LastLiberal in PalmSprings
(12,586 posts)They're only interested in sabotaging the infrastructure package. Get Manchin in line to get rid or weaken the filibuster to uselessness, and the pass the package on our own. F*ck the GQP. They need to be wiped from the face of the Earth to protect democracy.
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(108,035 posts)How much did these assholes spend on tax cuts for those who don't need it?
Time to move on without these clowns.