Biden Vows To Get $3.5T Spending Plan Approved

President Joe Biden pledged Friday on Congress’ home ground to “get it done” as Democrats strained to rescue a scaled-back version of his $3.5 trillion government-overhaul plan and salvage a related public works bill after days of frantic negotiations resulted in no deal, Lisa Mascaro and Zeke Miller reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Photo Insert: "We're going to get it done," was President Joe Biden's vow as he left an afternoon meeting at the Capitol.

Biden huddled with House Democrats in a private meeting that was part instructional, part morale booster for the tattered caucus of lawmakers, telling them he wanted both bills passed regardless of the time it takes.

He discussed a compromise topline of $1.9 trillion to more than $2 trillion, according to lawmakers in the room. But as night fell, no immediate deal was at hand.

"It doesn’t matter whether it’s six minutes, six days or six weeks — we’re going to get it done,” Biden declared to reporters as he left the afternoon meeting at the Capitol. It’s a pivotal time for both president and party, as Biden’s approval ratings have dropped and Democrats are restless, eager to deliver on his signature campaign promise of rebuilding the country.

His ideas go beyond roads-and-bridges infrastructure to delivering dental, vision and hearing care for seniors, free pre-kindergarten for youngsters, major efforts to tackle climate change, and other investments that would touch countless American lives.

Biden’s sudden excursion to Capitol Hill was aimed at giving the legislation a needed last push across the finish line. Holdout Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia had sunk hopes for a swift compromise when he refused to budge late Thursday on his demands for a smaller overall package, around $1.5 trillion, despite hours of shuttle diplomacy with White House aides.

With Republicans solidly opposed to Biden’s sweeping vision, the president and his party are reaching for a giant legislative accomplishment on their own — all to be paid for by rewriting federal balance sheets with tax hikes on corporations and the wealthy, those earning more than $400,000 a year.

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