Dems eyeing $6 trillion package on infrastructure, health care, climate change

Under the emerging reconciliation package, Democrats have said they plan to adopt key elements of President Biden’s two major economic packages — the $2.2 trillion American Jobs Plan and the $1.9 trillion American Families Plan — that are omitted from the Senate’s bipartisan compromise. That potentially includes long-standing liberal spending priorities such as combating climate change, extending the expanded child tax credit, and offering universal paid leave and prekindergarten, according to three people familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe a budget resolution that is not final. They cautioned that the size and scope of the plan may still change as debate proceeds and key congressional committees turn to the work of implementing it. The reconciliation package is also expected to open the door for changes to the tax code that raise rates on corporations and high-income earners, the sources said. Biden has sought to unwind the 2017 tax cuts approved under then-President Donald Trump to fund his economic agenda, a position that Republicans vehemently oppose. But Democrats have weighed going far beyond their infrastructure and families plans. They are also considering reconciliation as an avenue to pursue changes to Medicare that would lower the eligibility age to 60 from 65, as well as major reforms that expand its coverage to include vision and dental and seek to lower the cost of prescription drugs, according to the three people familiar with the effort. Beyond that, Democrats have discussed a host of additional policies to reform immigration, the sources said, though the exact scope is unclear.
Advertisement

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Trending on HotAir Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement