CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Democrats in the U.S. Congress are working on passing two measures considered key parts of President Joe Biden’s agenda after Biden on Thursday unveiled a slimmed-down framework on social programs.
Biden’s announcement of a $1.75 trillion proposal followed discussions involving the Biden administration, congressional leaders and Democrats regarding a $3.5 trillion plan. Biden and others have been trying to unite Democrats — including West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin — in support of the measure.
The U.S. House of Representatives was set to consider the bipartisan infrastructure bill on Thursday, but the vote was delayed as some Democrats will not vote for such measure without a domestic policy bill. Lawmakers instead passed a short-term funding measure to support transportation programs through Dec. 3.
The policy framework includes universal pre-school, incentives encouraging domestic production of clean energy technology, an extension of “Obamacare” tax credits through 2025, and tax increases on wealthy Americans and corporations. Paid family leave, language aimed at lowering prescription drug costs, and an expansion of dental and vision benefits under Medicare were cut from the original proposal.
The House Rules Committee began considering the 1,684-page legislative text on Thursday. The White House and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., expressed optimism that Congress can pass the domestic policy plan and the infrastructure bill soon.
Manchin and fellow moderate Democrat Krysten Sinema of Arizona would not commit to supporting the $3.5 trillion proposal, dooming the plan in the split Senate. Manchin criticized the original plan’s cost as well as provisions on clean energy and climate change, paid family leave, and child care subsidies.
“President Biden’s framework is the product of months of negotiations and input from all members of the Democratic Party who share a common goal to deliver for the American people,” Manchin tweeted Thursday. “As we work through the text of the legislation I would hope all of us will continue to deal in good faith and do what is right for the future of the American people.”
Republicans continue to oppose the proposal; Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., reminded reporters on Thursday that the GOP did not participate in the negotiations surrounding the $3.5 trillion proposal. Capito also remains concerned about the scope of the programs and how an expensive legislative package could affect inflation.
“When we said this is reckless tax increases and spending, that was probably the end of the conversation,” she said.
“These programs have not been vetted out and explained. The need has not been described and determined.”
Capito also voiced frustration toward the House for not passing the infrastructure bill, which the Senate accomplished in August. The bill would dedicate billions of dollars toward projects in West Virginia, including $3 billion for federal-aid highway programs, $506 million for bridge replacement and repairs, and a $100 million minimum for expanding internet access. The measure additionally would dedicate $55 billion over 10 years toward water infrastructure across the country, which the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee highlighted during an Oct. 14 field hearing in Beckley.
“I think we could have already been started on projects that we desperately need in this country,” Capito said.
Capito and Manchin voted for the measure, which the Senate passed 69-30.
Without the infrastructure bill, legislators passed a resolution to keep transportation and highway programs funded through Dec. 3, which is also the deadline for keeping the government open and when the United States is expected to reach its debt limit.
The House approved the resolution 358-59, and the Senate approved the measure through unanimous consent. Reps. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., and Carol Miller, R-W.Va., supported the legislation, while Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., did not vote. Miller had submitted a request to vote by proxy, a practice allowed amid the coronavirus pandemic. McKinley also submitted a letter requesting to vote by proxy, but House records show the congressman did not vote.