From HOPE YEN, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden is due to launch the first part of his multi-billion dollar stimulus package this week, which will focus on rebuilding roads, bridges and other infrastructure, followed by a separate plan in April that will address child and health care .
White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Sunday confirmed the government’s plans to split the package into two legislative proposals to garner Republican support in Congress. But she adds, “We’ll work with the Senate and the House of Representatives to see what happens next.”
In a speech in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Biden will release details of his proposal for federal investment in physical infrastructure, an issue that Republicans are talking about despite concerns over an expensive package so soon after the passage of the $ 1.9 trillion COVID- 19 aid plan.
Meanwhile, Democrats sought a broader package that could include policy changes related to green energy, immigration and other issues, and make some of the just-passed COVID-19 aid like child tax credits permanent. Many are willing to bypass Republicans if they have to.
Psaki told Fox News Sunday that the White House has not yet agreed on its legislative strategy, “but I’ll say I don’t think Republicans in this country think we should be 13th on infrastructure stand in the world. “
“Roads, railways, reconstruction, this is not a partisan issue,” she said.
A separate proposal later in April will then “address many of the issues Americans face – childcare, health care costs,” Psaki said.
Plans are still in flux, and the White House recently talked about a total of $ 3 trillion in spending to boost the economy and improve the quality of life, according to a person familiar with the options and insisted on anonymity to keep private Discuss conversations.
“The overall package that we are still working on, but he will introduce some payment options and he is excited to see ideas from both parties,” said Psaki.
The Biden administration will also release its proposed fiscal 2022 discretionary budget this week to gain insight into the president’s top priorities and set a marker for Congress. The budget proposal will include Agencies funding levels and investment guidelines.
The proposed budget will be the first in a decade not capped by discretionary spending caps, making it easier for Biden to propose spending increases on longstanding democratic priorities like education and housing.
When it comes to infrastructure, Republicans support a tight bill that focuses on roads and bridges and challenges the size and scope of Biden’s overall plan, as well as its focus on the environment. During the presidential campaign, Biden pledged $ 2 trillion of “accelerated” investments to move to cleaner energy, build half a million electric vehicle charging points, support public transportation, and repair roads and bridges.
At his news conference last week, Biden called it “frustrating” that the US was degrading much of its infrastructure and said his upcoming plan will create significant jobs in what he described as “formerly a major Republican goal and initiative.” Republican Senate Chairman Mitch McConnell warned last week that the White House plan would only lead to tax hikes and “leftist politics.”
The Democrats used a quick budget process known as reconciliation to approve Biden’s COVID-19 relief plan without Republican support.
However, working on passing comprehensive infrastructure legislation in a 50:50 Senate split with Vice President Kamala Harris, which will see a groundbreaking vote, could prove to be more difficult. Moderate Senator Joe Manchin, DW.Va., recently said he would block infrastructure legislation if Republicans are not involved.
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