Biden to GOP: 'Don't get in the way'
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Thursday warned naysayers in Congress not to “get in the way” of his big infrastructure plans as the White House panned a counteroffer from Republican senators to tap unused COVID-19 relief funds for a more modest investment in roads, highways and other traditional public works projects.
After touring a manufacturing technology center at a community college in Cleveland, Biden held up a card with the names of Republicans lawmakers who had rejected his coronavirus aid bill in Washington but later promoted its assistance when they were back home in front of voters. He warned them not to play similar games as he pushes this next legislative priority in Congress.
“I'm not going to embarrass anyone, but I have here a list,” he said. “If you're going to take credit for what we've done,” he continued, “don't get in the way of what we need to do.”
The political arguments over Biden's ambitious proposals are quickly distilling into a debate over the size and scope of what all sides agree are sorely needed upgrades to the nation's aging and outmoded infrastructure.
Republican senators outlined a $928 billion infrastructure proposal Thursday as a counteroffer to Biden, drawing a fresh red line against his plans raise the corporate tax, from 21% to 28%, to pay for new spending. Instead, the Republicans want to shift unspent COVID-19 relief dollars to help cover the costs, a nonstarter for many Democrats.
With about $250 billion in new spending, the GOP plan remains far from the president's approach. Biden reduced his $2.3 trillion opening bid to $1.7 trillion in earlier negotiations.
