Pres. Joe Biden Backpedals on Veto Threat of Infrastructure Deal After Republican Pushback
President Joe Biden took a U-turn on his "veto-threat" for the bipartisan infrastructure deal, arguing that it was not his "intent." The movement of the president happened after Republicans pushed back on his statements on Thursday, when Biden said that he would refuse to sign the bipartisan infrastructure deal or package until he received a Democrat-only package, according to a report from Politico.
President Biden Issues Statement on Veto Threat After Republicans Pushback
Because of what happened, President Joe Biden issued a statement regarding his stand on the bipartisan infrastructure deal.
"I have been clear from the start that it was my hope that the infrastructure plan could be one that Democrats and Republicans would work on together," said President Joe Bien in his statement.
President Biden also acknowledged that his statement on Thursday angered some Republicans.
"That statement understandably upset some Republicans, who do not see the two plans as linked," said Biden, adding that Republicans hoped to defeat his "Families Plan." The president also accepted that his comments on Thursday created an impression that he was issuing a "veto threat" on the plan he agreed to. Biden underscored that it was not his "intent" to make that impression.
USA Today reported that some of the Republicans who agreed to Biden's bipartisan infrastructure deal said that they were not aware of the conditions. The GOP senators argued that President Biden did not raise the said issue during the negotiations, leading to some of the GOP lawmakers threatening to withdraw support on the infrastructure deal.
The Guardian reported that some of the senators like Lindsey Graham also felt blindsided when President Joe Biden made his comments on Thursday.
"If he's gonna tie them together he can forget it! I'm not doing that," said Graham in Politico, labeling Joe Biden's move as "extortion."
In response, President Biden noted in his statement that he would still support the bipartisan infrastructure plan.
"I gave my word to support the Infrastructure Plan, and that's what I intend to do," said President Biden, adding that he would pursue the passage of the deal that Democrats and Republicans agreed to on Thursday. The president also emphasized that the bipartisan agreement would not prevent Republicans from attempting to defeat his "Families Plan" and "they [Republicans] should have no objections to my devoted efforts" to pass other proposals in tandem.
President Biden emphasized that he intends to work hard in passing the American Families Plan and the Infrastructure Plan because he thinks that the U.S. needs both of the legislation.
President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal
The bipartisan infrastructure deal or package that was discussed on Thursday aims to make the largest investment in infrastructure history. The said plan would fix roads, bridges, as well as critical investments for a clean energy future, and help the U.S. compete with other countries, such as China.
President Joe Biden also noted that the infrastructure deal would also replace lead water pipes as well as expand U.S.' broadband connection.
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WATCH: What to Know About President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal - From CNBC Television
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