Friday’s discussion — slated to take place by phone instead of in person like the previous meetings — comes as the clock is ticking for striking an agreement. Capito, the lead GOP negotiator, and Biden missed an informal Memorial Day deadline to clinch a deal. Democratic lawmakers, who start returning to Washington next week, are now eager to move forward on an infrastructure package, with or without Republicans. ADVERTISEMENT “I’m going to be having a talk this afternoon and I’ll be able to report to you after that,” Biden told reporters following a speech on the economy Friday morning.