President Joe Biden dismissed a Republican infrastructure proposal that offered modestly more spending, but fell short of “his objectives to grow the economy,” according to Valley News Live.
According to White House press secretary Jen Psaki, the president “expressed his gratitude for [the proposal’s] effort and goodwill, but also indicated that the current offer did not meet his objectives to grow the economy, tackle the climate crisis, and create new jobs.”
The Republican plan suggested around a $50 billion boost above the previous Republican offer of $928 billion, the White House said, still leaving the GOP well short of the $1.7 trillion that Biden is seeking. The White House also said Biden would “continue to engage a number of Senators in both parties in the hopes of achieving a more substantial package.”
For weeks, the president has been engaged in talks with GOP senators trying to compromise on an infrastructure investment package. The two sides appear to have narrowed the price gap between his initial $2.3 trillion proposal and the GOP’s $568 billion opening bid, they remain far apart on the scope of the deal and how to pay for it.
According to CNN, some Democrats are pressuring the White House to walk away from negotiations with Republicans, and pass a massive infrastructure plan with just Democratic votes. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois said Monday that he believes bipartisan talks over the package have “run their course.”
