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Biden says ‘America is on the move again’ in address to Congress

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — President Joe Biden marked his first 100 days in office with an address focused on his administration’s accomplishments since Jan. 20 and its policy goals.

“A hundred days since I took the oath of office and lifted my hand off of our family Bible and inherited a nation — we all did — that was in crisis. The worst pandemic in a century. The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War,” Biden said Wednesday to a joint session of Congress.

“Now, after just 100 days, I can report to the nation: America is on the move again.”

Biden focused the start of his address on the coronavirus pandemic. He signed a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package in March, which included funding for individual stimulus checks, coronavirus response efforts, and assistance for local and state governments. West Virginia is slated to receive more than $1.2 billion, while municipalities will get $677 million. Congressional Democrats passed the bill without Republican support, in which the split Senate relied on reconciliation to advance the bill along party lines.

President Joe Biden (Adam Schultz/The White House)

The United States also reached 200 million administered vaccine doses on April 22. Biden urged Americans 16 and older to get vaccinated, noting vaccine appointments have become more available.

“There’s still more work to do to beat this virus. We can’t let out guard down,” he said. “Tonight, I can say because of you, the American people, our progress in the last 100 days against one of the worst pandemics in history has been one of the greatest logistical achievements this country has ever seen.”

Biden pitched his $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan during his address; the American Jobs Plan dedicates $621 billion for transportation infrastructure, $111 billion toward upgrading water systems, and $100 billion for high-speed broadband in addition to funding for economic and workforce development. The proposal is supported by raising the corporate tax rate to 25% and changes to the tax code.

“This is the largest jobs plan since World War II,” the president said. “It creates jobs to upgrade our transportation infrastructure. Jobs modernizing our roads, bridges and highways; jobs building ports, airports, rail corridors and transit lines. It’s clean water.”

Senate Republicans last week announced a $568 billion alternative plan, which includes $299 billion for roads and bridges, $35 billion for drinking water and wastewater, and $65 billion for broadband improvements. The senators oppose increasing the corporate tax rate and instead support changes to user fees and utilizing unspent federal dollars.

“I applaud a group of Republican senators who just put forward their own proposal, so let’s get to work,” Biden said. “I wanted to lay out before the Congress my plan before we got into the deep discussions. I’d like to meet with those who have ideas that are different, who think are better. I welcome those ideas, but the rest of the world is not waiting for us.”

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., is leading Republicans on the legislative framework. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee’s ranking member said after the address she wants Biden to follow through on his desire to cooperate with Republicans.

“I truly believe the president himself wants to negotiate in good faith and deliver for the American people, especially when it comes to areas where we have common ground like infrastructure. Make no mistake, many of the topics President Biden discussed are ones we need to address, but raising taxes is not the right way. I am always ready to work with those on the other side of the aisle to create a better future for West Virginians,” she said.

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. (File)

Biden also pushed the American Families Plan, a $1.8 billion proposal unveiled Wednesday that dedicates funding for two years of universal pre-school, two years of free community college, subsidizing child care and creating a national paid family and medical leave program. The plan would be supported by increasing taxes on the wealthiest Americans.

“What doesn’t help create this better future is three straight multi-trillion dollar spending packages that will saddle future generations of Americans with debt,” Capito said.

Capito criticized the Biden administration for its handling of migrants entering the United States from the southern border. The president asked Congress to pass legislation related to immigration and measures involving gun violence and police reform.

“I appreciate President Biden’s sentiment tonight, but when it comes time for the rubber to meet the road, I urge him to put partisan politics aside and work with all of us to address these critical issues,” the senator said. “Working families, employers, and our children who will be most impacted by what we do in this moment are counting on us.”

Capito was one of 10 Republican senators who offered a $618 billion coronavirus relief bill to the White House before the passage of the $1.9 trillion package. Capito told MetroNews in March the GOP group never heard back from the White House following a meeting on the legislation.

Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., criticized Biden’s address, calling on the administration to “curtail its radical agenda and work across the aisle for families, workers, and job-creators in West Virginia and across the country.”

“We need to come together on issues we should all agree on – defeating COVID-19, rebuilding our roads, bridges, and infrastructure, reopening schools, getting Americans back into the workforce, and reigniting our economy,” she added.

Biden also voiced support for the PRO Act — which would weaken state “right-to-work” laws and provide additional protections for employees — as well as a $15 federal minimum wage and election law changes.





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