Biden and Democrats unveil $1.85-trillion plan for social and climate change programs
LA TimesPresident Biden and Speaker Nancy Pelosi after Thursday’s House Democratic Caucus meeting, where Biden urged party members to back his “Build Back Better” plan. After months of negotiation, President Biden and Democratic leaders on Thursday released the framework of a $1.85-trillion bill that would reform the nation’s social programs and attempt to address the climate crisis. Biden told House Democrats that he believed the social spending bill would get 50 Senate votes and enough support to get through the House, but that confidence did not convince them. Stressing the message the bills would send to other countries after the Jan. 6 insurrection, he said, “the rest of the world wonders whether we can function.” Thursday’s visit marks the second time House Democrats have rebuffed the president’s in-person request to vote on the infrastructure bill, the first coming at the end of September.