President Biden is set to announce a revised framework for his social spending plan today that he expects will gain the support of all Democrats. That’s according to The Washington Post, which cited unnamed officials who said the announcement could end a months-long impasse over Biden’s legislative priorities.
This comes as conservative Democratic Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin continue to demand cuts to programs backed by progressives and the majority of Americans. Manchin is reportedly refusing to back a federal paid family and medical leave program. The U.S. is among just seven countries around the world that offer no paid leave for new parents.
Manchin also opposes a tax on billionaires, proposed by Senator Ron Wyden, calling it “divisive.” The plan would tax about 700 billionaires’ unsold publicly traded assets — including their vast stock portfolios — to help pay for Biden’s social spending and climate bill.
Biden is expected to meet with House Democrats today and will push progressives to pass an infrastructure bill before he leaves for the G20 meeting in Rome ahead of crucial climate talks in Glasgow, Scotland, next week. Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal said Wednesday her caucus won’t vote on the infrastructure bill until the legislative text for Biden’s social spending package is finalized.