Democrats believe they're moving closer to a settlement on their large social-spending plan, which aims to unite the party's feuding sections and help President Joe Biden carry out his two-part economic strategy.
White House and Lawmakers Finalizing Biden's Economic Plan
In a recently published article in MSN News, the White House and legislative leaders are working with two key Senate holdouts to finalize the final details and expenditure cutbacks, trying to achieve a framework that will satisfy both the progressive and moderate wings of the party.
Democrats must drastically reduce the amount of their measure, which may total $1.5 trillion to $1.9 trillion. While negotiating compromises on party goals have been difficult, Democrats think they are closer than ever to reaching legislation that would help parents, children, families, and seniors.
Furthermore, Democrats hope to vote on the trillion-dollar bipartisan infrastructure measure that has stalled in the House this week if they can agree on a framework this week. Progressives gathered together last month to withhold their support for the bipartisan bill unless Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona committed to a Democrat-only social safety net measure, according to a published report in Yahoo News.
Democrats are Now on the Track After Meeting Biden
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Democrats are "on pace" to achieve a compromise after a weekend trip to Delaware, meeting Pres. Joe Biden, to resume discussions on the reconciliation bill, known as the Build Back Better Act.
On Sunday, he spoke with Biden and Manchin, and he continues to communicate with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, as well as rank-and-file members. At the same time, Schumer told reporters at the Capitol that they still need to work on three or four problems. He highlighted that most of the reconciliation measures have already been prepared, according to a report published in Politico.
Schumer said Monday afternoon from the Senate floor that no one ever claimed that enacting transformative legislation would be simple, but they are on course to achieve so. Because it is vital, and it is what the American people want and desire.
Biden Wants To Secure the Deal Before His Trip Abroad
In a published article in Barrons, Biden said he wanted to achieve an agreement before traveling overseas to attend a United Nations climate change summit in Scotland beginning next week before leaving for New Jersey on Monday morning.
Meanwhile, the president has been touring the nation to promote both elements of his plan, the bipartisan bill and the reconciliation measure, particularly with two high-stakes governorship races coming up next Tuesday, notably in Virginia.
Despite Virginia's Democratic trend in recent elections, some Democrats have pushed the party to take up the bipartisan infrastructure bill right now to boost former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who is seeking a second term but is locked in a close battle with Republican businessman Glenn Youngkin.
Some initiatives have been eliminated, such as tuition-free community college for two years, since Democrats' original $3.5 trillion packages would almost certainly be chopped in half. Others will be reduced, such as the child tax credit, which will only be extended for one year. And the status of key programs, such as paid family and medical leave and enhanced Medicare coverage, is still undetermined. Other crucial measures, such as universal pre-kindergarten, may be spared.
