Biden’s Friday comments, which reassured progressives about what he hopes will become a landmark piece in his legacy, were his most direct indication of how negotiations over the bill would go. It was a clear break with Nancy Pelosi (House Speaker), who suggested that progressive lawmakers prefer to support a particular strategy.
He said that there is no deadline to sign a deal.
Biden stated that he believes it is important to establish the principle on many issues, without guaranteeing the full 10 years,” before boarding Air Force One for a return flight to Washington after a trip to Connecticut. It is important to establish it.
Pelosi said however that in Monday’s note to Democratic lawmakers, “Overwhelmingly” the guidance she is receiving from her fellow members was to do fewer things better.
Biden stated Friday that he expected the package to shrink but “we’re going back and get the remainder” once it has passed.
“We are not going to get $3.5 billion. We won’t get $3.5 trillion, but we will get it. “And we’re going back and get it,” Biden stated during remarks at Connecticut’s child care center.
The Democrats on Capitol Hill want to cut the spending package to around $2 trillion. This would be funded by higher taxes for corporations and wealthy. It includes everything, from community college and free child care to senior dental, vision, and hearing aid benefits. There are also significant provisions to combat climate change. These are all important items for progressives but moderates balk at the $3.5 trillion price tag.
A proposal to offer a free community college is one example of a reduction that would almost certainly be made.
Biden stated that although I doubt we will receive all the funding for community college, he is not giving up on them as long as he’s president. Jill Biden, his wife, is an English professor at Northern Virginia Community College.
The Senate and House have narrow margins, so Democrats don’t have enough votes to pass the bill. Some progressives have expressed concern about the whittling process.
