Biden: Infrastructure vow was not intended to be veto threat

[SouthBayDem]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Aiming to preserve a fragile bipartisan deal on infrastructure, President Joe Biden endorsed it “without hesitation” Saturday, walking back from a threat to veto it if Congress also didn’t pass an even larger package to expand the social safety net.

Biden said he didn’t mean to suggest in earlier remarks that he would veto the nearly $1 trillion infrastructure bill unless Congress also passed a $4 trillion package that he and fellow Democrats aim to approve along party lines.

Speaking on Thursday moments after fulfilling his hopes of reaching a bipartisan accord, Biden appeared to put the deal in jeopardy with his comment that the infrastructure bill would have to move in “tandem” with the larger bill.

Though Biden had been clear he would pursue the massive new spending for child care, Medicare and other investments, Republicans balked at the president’s notion that he would not sign one without the other. “If this is the only thing that comes to me, I’m not signing it,” Biden said then of the infrastructure bill. “It’s in tandem.”

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-government-and-politics-7f9226bb825fcf72f2fe5056d1e20ac4

[Deminpenn]

1. Did the Rs really think there wasn't a Part 2?

Biden got an up close and personal look at how McConnell operates from 2008-2016. He's not following for that negotiate the minimum then don't pass anything else GOP strategy.

McConnell got out-manuevered and now he and his caucus are having a fit over it.

[OnDoutside]

3. McConnell was just being a dick. It was clear exactly what Biden meant

[Calista241]

5. It doesn't matter what the R's think.

It matters what promises the R's are able to get form the Dems that want a bi-partisan bill. I suspect that _if_ there is a follow on bill, it will have certain limits, like $1t or less, focused on the environment, etc.

If the R's feel assured that they'll get what they want from the 2nd bill, despite not signing onto it, the bi-partisan deal could get 70+ votes.

[Fiendish Thingy]

2. Biden won't get the chance to veto- bipartisan bill won't get out of the house without 2nd bill

Without a second, much larger infrastructure bill passed via reconciliation, the bipartisan bill won’t get approved by the Progressive Caucus, and won’t make it out of the house to Biden’s desk.

[OnDoutside]

4. Exactly. Well said. I like the way the PC have manoeuvred themselves

into the process....it provides cover for moderates.

Lots of credit to Pramila Jayapal for this.

[Calista241]

6. You say that, but if the bi-partisan deal is the only one on the table

I suspect it will get a vote in the House.

[Fiendish Thingy]

7. Here is what Pelosi has stated will happen:

The senate will pass the bipartisan bill, which then goes to the house.

Schumer and Pelosi move to pass the rest of the infrastructure package via reconciliation, which everyone, including Manchin and Biden, say is a required part of the process.

Pelosi delays a vote on the bipartisan bill until the 2nd bill has passed via reconciliation.

Only at that time will Pelosi allow a vote on the house floor on the bipartisan bill.

Then both bills go to Biden for his signature simultaneously.

That’s what she said almost immediately following Biden’s press statement with the bipartisan group.

[Calista241]

8. In an ideal world, that's what would happen.

What if Manchin and Bernie can’t come to an agreement? Like if Manchin is like “my cap is at $500m, and Bernie is like $3T.”

Is she prepared to sit on the bill until Christmas or next year.

[Fiendish Thingy]

9. Manchin has said he would like to see $4T for the whole package

Since Bernie is seeking $6T, I’m sure they can come to an agreement.

[Calista241]

10. Manchin literally said today on TV he'd support a max of $2t.

If Bernie and other can agree to that, then I'm excited, but i suspect they'll struggle to get that low.

[Fiendish Thingy]

11. We'll, that's a change from a few weeks ago, but that's Manchin for you

Unless he meant $2T for the reconciliation bill, on top of the $1.2T bipartisan bill