Joe Biden 'Prepared To Compromise' With Republicans As Infrastructure Bill Gets Rolling

As Joe Biden begins laying the groundwork for his massive infrastructure bill, he signaled a willingness Thursday to compromise with Republicans. While that may increase his chances of getting it through Congress’ razor-thin margins, supporters are worried it will only embolden Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to stonewall the bill entirely.

Biden’s comments came as he met with six Republican senators to discuss his almost $2 trillion plan. He said the senators, including as smaller bill advocate Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., were coming in “good faith.”

“I’m prepared to compromise,” Biden told reporters when asked if he’d accept a smaller bill.

Bolstering the nation's infrastructure has broad support. Corporate analysts, such as those from Goldman Sachs, have endorsed a large expenditure as an investment that will pay off in the long run.

Republicans are a different matter. Always budget-conscious while a Democrat is in office, conservative politicians have assailed the environmental aspects of the bill and the tax loophole closures that would be necessary to fund such an ambitious project.

Apart from the infrastructure updates, Biden has also unveiled the American Families Plan, a proposal to expand childcare and tax credits for families with kids.

While Biden may be convinced of the Republicans’ good faith, they’ve given him good reason to be doubtful. McConnell said just a week earlier that his only priority was stopping Biden from passing legislation.

“One hundred percent of my focus is standing up to this administration,” McConnell said. “What we have in the United States Senate is total unity from Susan Collins to Ted Cruz in opposition to what the new Biden administration is trying to do to this country.”

McConnell made similar comments about Barack Obama at the start of his administration. He’s proven no less determined this time around, with Biden’s COVID-19 relief bill forced to pass the Senate without a single Republican vote.