CHARLESTON, W.Va. — U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., continues talks with the White House about a possible compromise on an infrastructure package, telling reporters Thursday both sides “are closing the gap, but we still have a ways to go.”
Capito is the lead Republican on a $568 billion infrastructure framework and has been communicating with fellow senators and the White House frequently about a final proposal. She hosted a meeting with Republican colleagues, Biden Cabinet members and White House staff on Tuesday about reaching a deal.
The Republican blueprint focuses more on traditional infrastructure projects — like road construction and water system upgrades — compared to the Biden administration’s American Jobs Plan, which dedicates additional funding for “human infrastructure” needs such as education.
“We need to still narrow the definition to where we’re comfortable with infrastructure and then try to reach some kind of dollar figure and, of course, how to pay for it,” said Capito, the ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
The GOP framework includes $299 billion for roads and bridges, $35 billion for drinking water and wastewater systems, and $65 billion for broadband infrastructure. Biden’s $2.3 trillion proposal dedicates $621 billion for transportation infrastructure, $111 billion for water system upgrades, and $100 billion for high-speed broadband. Each plan differs in how long money would be spent; the Republican plan is set for five years while the American Jobs Plan would spend money over eight years.
Republicans have suggested raising revenues through adjusting user fees while also repurposing unused federal dollars. The American Jobs Plan would result in multiple tax changes, notably increasing the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%. Republican lawmakers supported lowering the corporate tax rate from 35% in the 2017 tax bill.
Capito said neither side has a preferred final cost, adding she wants infrastructure needs addressed first and foremost.
“Let’s let the programs and the definitions of infrastructure really drive what number we need to go to to satisfy a lot of the need for the next five years,” she said. “Our numbers are moveable.”
President Joe Biden has set a Memorial Day deadline for making progress on a deal. He told a joint session of Congress last month not reaching an agreement would be unacceptable.
“I kinda like that attitude. I want to get things done,” Capito said Thursday.
Capito accepts the president’s deadline and told reporters that talks with the White House will continue Friday.
“I’m hoping we’re able to get more detail and also see exactly how far apart we really are. I think that’s important,” she said.
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is working on a separate surface transportation bill; Committee Chairman Tom Carper, D-Del., and Capito previously agreed a measure should be ready by Memorial Day.
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., met with the president last week as part of a string of meetings Biden hosted at the White House. Manchin has called the Republican plan a good starting point and stated opposition toward Biden’s proposed corporate tax rate.