With historic spending plans in danger, Joe Biden vows to ‘get this done’

The president signalled willingness to cut his US$3.5 trillion package to around US$2 trillion in a bid to secure agreement between divided Democrat lawmakers

A much-anticipated Friday vote on a US$1 trillion infrastructure bill was further delayed after Biden’s rare visit to Congress results in no deal

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US President Joe Biden gives brief remarks to members of the news media after attending a House Democratic Caucus meeting on Capitol Hill on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 7:58am, 2 Oct 2021Updated: 8:15pm, 2 Oct 2021

US President Joe Biden pledged on Friday on Congress’ home ground to “get it done” as Democrats strained to rescue a scaled-back version of his US$3.5 trillion government-overhaul plan and salvage a related public works bill after days of frantic negotiations.

But it’s not getting done right now.

Biden huddled with House Democrats in a private meeting that was part instructional, part morale booster for the tattered caucus of lawmakers, telling them he wanted both bills passed regardless of the time it takes. He discussed a compromise top-line of US$1.9 trillion to more than US$2 trillion, according to lawmakers in the room.

But it was clear they are all now in it for the long haul as the White House and its allies in Congress prepared for protracted negotiations.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s six minutes, six days or six weeks – we’re going to get it done,” Biden declared to reporters as he left the afternoon meeting at the Capitol.

This is not a baseball game. This is the most significant piece of legislation in 70 years

Bernie Sanders, US senator

It‘s a pivotal time for both president and party, as Biden’s approval ratings have dropped and Democrats are restless, eager to deliver on his signature campaign promise of rebuilding the country. His ideas go beyond roads-and-bridges infrastructure to delivering dental, vision and hearing care for seniors, free pre-kindergarten for youngsters, major efforts to tackle climate change and other investments that would touch countless American lives.

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