President Joe Biden says he's willing to work with
Republicans on his nearly $2 trillion infrastructure plan – but a major point
of contention remains to be the cost.
"If you look at all the president's recent proposals,
they total more than $4.1 trillion,” says Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). “That's
the amount that we spent to win World War II."
Sen. John Barrasso, a Republican from Wyoming, called it a
“staggering amount, similar to someone with a new credit card.”
The GOP has countered with a $600 billion proposal, which
includes $160 billion for COVID-19-related causes and extends federal
unemployment benefits at their current levels.
Although the White House says it wants to work with
Republicans on the infrastructure plan, President Biden has hinted that he will
consider moving forward without their support – like the way the administration
passed its COVID-19 relief bill.
"I think what we'll have to see is whether or not
Republicans in Washington join the rest of America in broadly supporting these
common-sense ideas to grow our economy and make our families better," said
Ron Klain, the White House chief of staff.