Biden seeks consensus on infrastructure in meeting with congressional leaders
Chris Megerian, Los Angeles Times
May 12, 2021
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President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting with lawmakers on investments in infrastructure, in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, in Washington. President Biden held another bipartisan discussion on infrastructure in the Oval Office on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)Evan Vucci/Associated Press
WASHINGTON President Joe Biden welcomed the “Big Four” congressional leaders to the Oval Office for the first time on Wednesday, attempting to foster bipartisan dialogue at a time when polls show most Republicans accept his predecessor’s lies about the legitimacy of his election.
“The president is eager to see what the outcome of negotiations are, and he certainly trusts in the leadership of Congresswoman Bass, Sen. Booker,” Psaki said Monday when asked if Biden has a view on potentially removing qualified immunity protections for police, a non-starter for Republicans.
“His focus is on his hope that he can sign the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act into law on May 25. . And he will not we re not going to get ahead of those negotiations,” Psaki added.
One Democratic strategist close to the White House expressed optimism that lawmakers will be able to make tangible progress on policing reform by May 25, suggesting that the administration has left itself some wiggle room on infrastructure by being vague about what it considers “progress” on a bill.
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Still, Wednesday’s discussion on its face appeared more cordial than similar bipartisan meetings under former President Trump
McCarthy and McConnell, speaking to reporters at the White House after the meeting, indicated the talks were productive, even if there was no breakthrough. The Republican leaders indicated there is still a gap between the two sides on how to pay for the proposal and what exactly should be in it, however, making it unclear where there is room for compromise. I think there’s an opportunity that we can work together on infrastructure, McCarthy said. Now, let me preface that we’re not interested as long as it’s not anything about tax increases, and in dealing with infrastructure that we start with the concept of what is the definition [of infrastructure].
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Connecticut will receive $200 million more in federal pandemic relief than expected
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The state has now been allocated $2.8 billion in federal pandemic relief, and that money could flow into state coffers later this month.Mark Mirko / TNS
WASHINGTON Connecticut will receive about $200 million more in direct pandemic aid to the state government than initially expected, according to an announcement from the U.S. Treasury Monday.
The state has now been allocated $2.8 billion and that money could flow into state coffers later this month.The news surprised Connecticut officials who did not know about the increase until it was announced.
“We are thrilled that there is more money coming to Connecticut which means there is even more of a task at hand to spend these funds in equitable and transformative way to accelerate the recovery in Connecticut,” Gov. Ned Lamont’s Communication Director Max Reiss Monday evening.