A Capito spokeswoman said in a statement that the senator is “encouraged that negotiations have continued” and would brief other GOP senators on the discussion with Biden before engaging with him again on Friday.
“Senator Capito reiterated to the president her desire to work together to reach an infrastructure agreement that can pass Congress in a bipartisan way. She also stressed the progress that the Senate has already made,” the spokeswoman said.
Last week, the Capito-led group presented a $928 billion counteroffer to the White House, which would largely rely on unspent coronavirus response funds already appropriated by Congress, plus a proposed increase in the gas tax. Prior to that, the White House reduced its plan from $2.25 trillion to $1.7 trillion, but the current state of talks has left lawmakers and congressional aides skeptical that a $700 billion gap between the negotiators can be bridged.
Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks to the National League of Cities via video conference Monday, March 8, 2021, from the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. | White House/Lawrence Jackson
Vice President Kamala Harris paid tribute to fallen members of the U.S. Armed Forces one day after she faced criticism from numerous people for referring to Memorial Day as a long three-day weekend without mentioning the significance of the national holiday.
“Throughout our history, our service men and women have risked everything to defend our freedoms and our country. As we prepare to honor them on Memorial Day, we remember their service and their sacrifice,” Harris tweeted Sunday.