Biden to meet House progressives on path to reconciliation package
By Brett Samuels - 10/04/21 03:04 PM EDT
President Biden will meet Monday afternoon with House progressives in an effort to chart a path forward on a reconciliation package and see what measures can be agreed upon in a bill, the White House said.
Biden will meet virtually with progressive members of the House Democratic caucus on Monday, followed later in the week by a virtual meeting with moderate members lawmakers, press secretary Jen Psaki said.
Monday's virtual discussion will focus on "the path forward, which includes the recognition that this package is going to be smaller than originally proposed. And what he wants to hear from them is what their priorities are, what their bottom lines are so he can play a constructive role in moving things forward."
Biden's meetings are likely to focus on coming up with an acceptable top-line figure for a budget reconciliation package containing administration priorities like funding for health care programs, child care, and climate change policies.
Democrats originally proposed a $3.5 trillion package to include various spending measures, but moderate Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) balked at that number. Manchin said for the first time last week, following months of talks and negotiations, he would not be comfortable with more than $1.5 trillion in spending, a figure progressive House members have called inadequate.
more
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/575213-biden-to-meet-house-progressives-on-path-to-reconciliation
