A group of moderate Republicans and Democrats in the Senate is circling around a proposed spending on compromise infrastructure that would cost about $ 800 billion, a sum that does not reach what most Democrats want and what President Biden
Joe BidenHouse court passes bill to establish reparations commission Democrats to offer bill to expand Supreme Court Former Israeli prime minister advises Iran to “cool off” amid nuclear threats MORE has proposed.
In late March, Biden unveiled the $ 2.25 trillion proposal, called the “American Jobs Plan,” focused on upgrading roads, bridges and public transportation, along with funding to combat climate change and more. provisions to favor American families.
The president proposed raising the corporate tax rate to fund the bill, a move both Republicans and moderate Democrats have disputed.
And while Republicans and moderate Democrats have agreed to come together to write a tighter proposal, some Republican Party members have pointed out that $ 800 billion may be too much, while Democrats are more likely to get a higher price.
His. Shelley Moore Understood
Shelley Wellons Moore CapitoSenate confirms Biden’s decision to lead the Senate government of the White House environmental council to face assignments next week. Biden’s spread in infrastructure met with MORE Republican skepticism (RW.Va.) is leading the momentum of a compromise proposal that she says could fall between $ 600 billion and $ 800 billion in five years.
“I said between $ 600,000 and $ 800 billion, that’s very important,” Capito, a Republican on the Environment and Public Works Committee, said Wednesday, citing spending on expanding broadband and port infrastructure. .
Other GOP moderates say Capito’s figure is a good starting point.
“Next week I will receive a presentation from Senator Capito … but I certainly think $ 800 billion would be a big package,” the senator said. Susan Collins
Susan Margaret Collins ENERGY FOR NEW: Senate confirms Mallory to lead White House environmental council US emissions fell 1.7% in 2019 | Interior further delays Trump rule that would make drillers pay less to the feds The anti-Asian hate crime bill overcomes the Senate’s first hurdle: The Senate confirms Gensler will lead SEC | The Republican Senate Party will face upcoming allocations next week The top Republican prosecutor in the House will retire MORE (R-Maine) said.
The West Virginia Republican got a boost Thursday when the senator. Chris Coons
Chris Andrew Coons Pavlich: Biden wants “infrastructure”: Republicans should negotiate Schumer warns Democrats can’t let Republican block an expansive agenda Inflation keeps its head in the middle of the spending debate MORE (D-Del.), A key ally of Biden, endorsed its spending target.
“I spoke with Senator Capito yesterday. The way forward I’m looking at and working on is what we take and approve of a bipartisan infrastructure bill, which focuses on areas where the parties really agree, ”he said in an interview with CNN. end up becoming a bipartisan bill of $ 800,000 to $ 1 billion. “
Coons told reporters in an interview last Thursday that it would be smart to first pass a reduced bipartisan infrastructure bill and then take on the remaining priorities of Biden’s infrastructure agenda in a second bill that could approving the Senate under budget conciliation would only require Democratic votes.
“We’re trying to get $ 2 trillion in infrastructure and jobs investments. Why not make $ 800 billion in a bipartisan way and the other $ 1.2 trillion? [Democrats] only through reconciliation? “He said.
But moving a reduced infrastructure package through the Senate, even as an initial payment of Biden’s $ 2.25 trillion Build Back Better agenda, could mean a tough sell-off to the democratic caucus.
Perhaps the most influential centrist in Congress, the senator. Joe Manchin
Joe ManchinHouse committee approves DC Romney state bill, Sinema joins proposal to raise minimum wage Report 12:30 The Hill’s: Biden defends withdrawal from Afghanistan after of the setback MORE (DW.Va.), does not approve a reduced infrastructure bill.
Manchin said Thursday he is unprepared to settle for a $ 800 billion target for infrastructure spending.
“We will do what is necessary. If it takes $ 4 trillion, it would make $ 4 trillion, but we have to pay for it, ”he said.
“What we need to do is identify the infrastructure. We come to an agreement, but we all identify. And the need for infrastructure, make sure we can do it [with] punctuality and make sure we pay for it. ”
“There is no number to be set,” he added.
Other Democrats say they want to “get bigger,” expressing concern over talking about downsizing Biden’s proposed infrastructure. Some worry that the political impetus to approve a second package could dissipate later in the year.
“I think we have to go a long way in that,” the senator said. Bob Casey
Robert (Bob) Patrick Casey Democrats split on gun control strategy Senate Democrats ask DHS for detailed information on response to Portland protests Dems boost hits infrastructure plans MORE (D-Pa.). “We are still in the early stages. We still have a lot to talk about with the people and start drafting the legislation. “
“It’s a really important time to grow up and I’m concerned that the conversation focused on reducing things is negotiating against the goal we all have,” he said.
A group of Republican and Democratic lawmakers in the House and Senate on Thursday called on Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a moderate Republican, to explore options for a bipartisan infrastructure proposal that would account for a fraction of the cost of the Biden plan. .
“It is always encouraging to talk to bipartisan members of the Senate and the House. Governor Hogan was active [the call.] I think that’s how a proposal is made that will really get not just 50 Democrats and one Republican, but a very good bipartisan package, ”the senator said. Lisa Murkowski
Lisa Ann Murkowski Trump mocks Murkowski and Cheney there are possible elections. Biden chooses Obama student to rank No. 2 in Diffusion Interior to Biden infrastructure, with Republican skepticism MORE (R-Alaska) of the Thursday morning call sponsored by No Labels, a group proposing bipartisanship.
Still, there is even division among moderate Republicans over how much to spend.
His. Mitt Romney
Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyRomney, Cinema joins proposal to raise minimum wage Family policy that can attract right and left Press: Corporate America challenges GOP MORE (R-Utah) noted that $ 800 billion in new infrastructure spending is more than comfortable.
“It depends on what’s there, what we define as infrastructure,” he said. “That number seems a little high, but there may be some elements that are unfamiliar.”
There are also disagreements among Republican lawmakers over how to pay for it.
Capito said Thursday that raising the corporate tax rate to pay for infrastructure is a “start.”
“I think it’s a non-negotiable red line,” he said Thursday. “For me personally, it’s not a principle.”
Murkowski expressed a little more flexibility in raising revenue, but criticized the Biden administration for relying entirely on higher corporate and corporate taxes to pay for its infrastructure proposal.
“You have a very large package that the administration has set up and they say we will pay for it that way,” he said in reference to a proposal to raise the corporate tax rate to 28%.
He suggested that a combination of higher user fees should be considered, including an increase in the gas tax.
“Why don’t we consider the gas tax? Why don’t we even discuss the actual miles traveled on the road? she said. “I don’t think there was any imagination that asked, ‘How will you deal with the payments?’