CHARLESTON, W.Va. — President Joe Biden and U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., will talk Friday about reaching a possible infrastructure agreement following a meeting Wednesday at the White House.
The discussion, which a White House official described as a “constructive and frank conversation,” was another step in efforts between the Biden administration and Senate Republicans to getting to a compromise between the president’s American Jobs Plan and the GOP’s proposal.
“During today’s meeting, Senator Capito and President Biden discussed the latest of several counteroffers Republicans have put forth and how they can come together to reach a bipartisan agreement,” Capito spokesperson Kelley Moore said in a statement.
“Senator Capito reiterated to the president her desire to work together to reach an infrastructure agreement that can pass Congress in a bipartisan way. She also stressed the progress that the Senate has already made. Senator Capito is encouraged that negotiations have continued.”
Capito, the ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, is leading Republicans in negotiations. According to Moore, Capito will be speaking to other Republicans involved in discussions about the meeting before talking again to Biden.
Republican senators last week unveiled an eight-year, $928 billion counteroffer to the American Jobs Plan, which includes $257 billion in new spending. The Republican proposal would dedicate $506 billion for transportation infrastructure, $72 billion for water systems, and $65 billion for broadband improvements. Republicans first proposed a $568 billion legislative framework.
The White House has proposed cutting its original $2.3 trillion offer to $1.7 trillion.
Both sides have disagreements about possible spending on “human infrastructure” — like child care — as well as funding an infrastructure plan; Republicans have suggested utilizing unspent coronavirus relief funds and user fee adjustments, while Biden has suggested tax changes impacting the richest Americans and increasing the corporate tax rate to 28%.
“Negotiations mean both sides continue to make moves towards each other,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said before the meeting.
“Patience is not unending. He wants to make progress. His only line in the sand is inaction. He wants to sign a bill into law this summer, but I would also remind you that the American Rescue Plan passed in a very quick timeline for how legislation moves forward.”
Congress approved the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief measure in March with only Democratic support.
A bipartisan group of senators, including West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin, is drafting an infrastructure blueprint separate from the negotiations. Capito told reporters last week she has spoken to colleagues from both parties and noted “all ideas should be welcome.”