It is unclear what bill could win the 60 votes needed to get through the Democratic-held Senate, which is split 50-50 by party. Democratic leaders will have to decide whether to try to pass a larger infrastructure bill on their own — which will require them to navigate opposition within their own ranks — or agree to a smaller plan with the GOP.
Spokespeople for Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., did not immediately respond to requests to comment on the GOP framework.
Biden has met twice with lawmakers from both parties about infrastructure in recent weeks. A group of centrist Republican and Democratic senators also met Wednesday as they try to find a consensus.
Some Democratic lawmakers have suggested the party could approve a transportation and broadband-focused bill with GOP support, then move to pass their broader priorities through a special budget process that requires a simple majority vote.
Biden’s plan calls to upgrade roads, bridges, airports, trains, housing and broadband, while investing in electric vehicles, care for elderly and disabled Americans and job training programs. It would offset costs by raising the corporate tax rate to 28% and seeking to crack down on offshoring of corporate profits.
Republicans have criticized both the scope and cost of Biden’s plan. They have also resisted efforts to raise taxes on businesses.
Biden’s tax proposal has also drawn backlash from within his party. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., has said he supports hiking the corporate rate to 25% rather than 28%. Republicans slashed the tax rate to 21% from 35% in 2017.
Biden aims to pass two separate infrastructure and recovery bills. He plans to unveil the second plank, a plan focused on child care, paid leave and tax credits that could cost more than $1 trillion, in the coming weeks.
Article source: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/22/senate-republicans-release-infrastructure-plan-in-counter-to-biden-proposal.html