U.S. Senate Republicans readying new infrastructure proposal
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[May 18, 2021] By
David Morgan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Republicans are
expected to unveil a new infrastructure proposal as early as Tuesday as
optimism grows about a possible bipartisan deal that would cover a
fraction of President Joe Biden's $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito, who is leading the Republican
infrastructure drive, told reporters on Monday that she expected
Republicans to unveil a new counter-proposal to Biden's sweeping plan
sometime early this week. Her comments followed a day of discussions
between Senate Republicans and White House staff, on the eve of a
meeting with top administration officials slated for Tuesday afternoon.
Capito and other Republicans including Senate Commerce Committee
Chairman Roger Wicker announced an initial $568 billion infrastructure
plan, which Democrats criticized as inadequate. Capito and Wicker were
among a group of Senate Republicans who met with Biden last Thursday.
Asked whether Senate Republicans would unveil a new infrastructure
proposal on Tuesday, Capito replied: "We hope so. Well, it'll be early
this week."
She offered no details. But Republicans including Senate Minority Leader
Mitch McConnell have signaled a willingness to consider a proposal
closer to $600 billion, while a bipartisan group of senators has
discussed a package of roughly $1 trillion.
Capito, Wicker and fellow Senate Republicans John Barrasso, Roy Blunt,
Mike Crapo and Pat Toomey were due to meet with senior administration
officials, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, in the Capitol on Tuesday.
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U.S. President Joe Biden gestures toward Senator Shelley Capito
(R-WV) during an infrastructure meeting with Republican Senators at
the White House in Washington, U.S., May 13, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin
Lamarque/File Photo
"I think all four of the committees involved are making a good-faith effort to
try to get to a good offer. We all would like to see a big infrastructure
package," Blunt told reporters on Monday.
Biden's mammoth infrastructure proposal includes traditional projects to
revitalize roads and bridges, but would also seek to address climate change and
social issues such as elder care. The president said he would pay for the plan
by raising taxes on U.S. corporations.
Republican have rejected Biden's proposal as too broad and too expensive, and
instead have sought to reach a bipartisan deal that focuses on roads, bridges,
waterways and broadband access.
Democrats have floated a two-track approach that would include a smaller
bipartisan package, as well as more sweeping legislation that they could enact
without Republican support through a process known as reconciliation.
(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
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