Biden calls on 5 Cabinet secretaries to take the lead on infrastructure
The meeting comes after the President unveiled the American Jobs Plan on Wednesday, promising it would be “a single investment in America.”
“While the majority of Cabinet will play a role in helping to formulate and implement the Program of Action, today I announce that I would like to ask five Cabinet members to take on the greater responsibility of explaining this plan to the American public,” Mr Biden said. Commenting to the media during a meeting at the White House.
He announced that his delegates to the American Jobs Plan would be Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh and Business Secretary Gina Raimondo.
“In collaboration with my team here at the White House, these Cabinet members will represent me in working with Congress, engaging with the public in marketing this program and helping to resolve issues as we prepare and move forward,” Mr Biden said. All of Mr Biden’s Cabinet secretaries have been confirmed by the Senate since taking office ten weeks ago, as well as many other nominees for other Cabinet-level positions.
US-POLITICS-IBIDEN-CABINET
President Biden held his first Cabinet meeting in the East Room of the White House on April 1, 2021.
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
Mr Biden’s comprehensive infrastructure plan addresses a number of challenges, including transportation, energy and affordable housing, which means it falls under the jurisdiction of many agencies in the provincial government. The proposal will also be funded by reforming the country’s tax policy by increasing corporate tax rates from 21% to 28%, and will also negotiate with other countries with lower global taxes on international companies.
But Mr Biden’s proposal is already facing stiff opposition from Republicans, raising questions about his hopes for Congress. Most laws require 60 votes to move forward in the Senate, with Democrats holding a minimum of 50 seats. As gaining support from the 10 Republicans is not possible, Democrats are exploring alternatives to the GOP vote. They could choose to use the complex budget reconciliation process, which was used to pass the $ 1.9 billion American Rescue Plan plan without votes in the Republic last month.
Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday said he did not believe any Republicans would vote on Mr Biden’s request for infrastructure.
“The last thing the economy needs at the moment is a huge tax hike in every productive part of our economy,” McConnell told a news conference. “I think that parcel they are compiling now in the way we would like to deal with the infrastructure will not get support on our part.”