[The stream is slated to start at 1:45 p.m. ET. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.]
President Joe Biden will comment on his more than $ 2 trillion infrastructure package Wednesday afternoon. Vice President Kamala Harris is also expected to attend.
The address comes a week after Biden introduced the plan, which would invest in transportation infrastructure, water systems, broadband access, electricity grids, job training and other amenities. The bill would increase the corporate tax rate to 28% to offset the expenses.
In his speech, the president plans to pressure Congress to work with him on the legislation, defend the increase in corporate tax and criticize the bill going beyond traditional infrastructure, an official said. the White House.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Said Friday that the GOP would likely oppose the package because of the tax increase and price tag.
A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., said on Monday that the chamber MP ruled that lawmakers could use budget reconciliation to pass additional legislation by simple majority. The move means Democrats can try to pass the legislation without Republican votes. Democrats have a narrow majority in the Senate, with the chamber split 50-50 and breaking the vice president’s votes.
The infrastructure plan marks the next legislative priority for the Biden administration after signing the $ 1.9 trillion Covid stimulus package in March.