Biden infrastructure/tax increase megathread

[compucomp]

After Manchin and Sinema cost the Democrats Virginia last night (maybe long-term if they are able to pass voting restrictions there), the least they can do it quickly pass BBB and limit the damage. We need a really strong and united party for the entire next year. No more infighting!

Manchin and Sinema already voted for the infrastructure bill.

It's the so-called "progressives" in the House holding the bill hostage.

Is it holding it hostage if they're just against it? I don't think all of the Dems are a yes on that bill in a vacuum.

Are they against it, or just don't think, it's enough?

I think they're against it, but willing to vote for it as a compromise if they get the other bill.

Which Dems are actually against the BIF on its own merits? Out of the whole Progressive Caucus, I only saw two members of the Squad (AOC and Cori Bush) express opposition to the BIF on environmental grounds, and then only briefly. I don't believe there are 5 Dems opposed to the BIF, they only threaten to oppose it because they are holding it hostage to the BBB.

[gerritcole]

This administration is so sad, absolutely no urgency or ability to pivot and push its priorities, it’s almost like it doesn’t realize it only has 1 more year to do anything Of substance, the admin really reflects sleepy joe

[Del Tachi]

After Manchin and Sinema cost the Democrats Virginia last night (maybe long-term if they are able to pass voting restrictions there), the least they can do it quickly pass BBB and limit the damage. We need a really strong and united party for the entire next year. No more infighting!

Manchin and Sinema already voted for the infrastructure bill.

It's the so-called "progressives" in the House holding the bill hostage.

Is it holding it hostage if they're just against it? I don't think all of the Dems are a yes on that bill in a vacuum.

Are they against it, or just don't think, it's enough?

I think they're against it, but willing to vote for it as a compromise if they get the other bill.

Which Dems are actually against the BIF on its own merits? Out of the whole Progressive Caucus, I only saw two members of the Squad (AOC and Cori Bush) express opposition to the BIF on environmental grounds, and then only briefly. I don't believe there are 5 Dems opposed to the BIF, they only threaten to oppose it because they are holding it hostage to the BBB.

If Biden hadn't caved and allowed BIF/BBB to be tied together, the infrastructure bill likely could have been passed with bipartisan support in the House - just like it was in the Senate. 

Combining the two into a single package turns it into a partisan play.  Not only does this mean Republicans don't come along for the ride, it puts the whole popularity of what could have been a bipartisan achievement (i.e., BIF) unessecarily in peril. 

[pppolitics]

Someone tell me: What is "progressive" about holding the infrastructure bill hostage?

These people should be called regressives.

[KaiserDave]

I (and Democrats should) care about the contents of the agenda and the effect it will be have the country. Electoral ramifications are secondary.

That's ideologically-motivated social engineering, not how you govern in a pluralistic democracy.

Biden campaigned on an infrastructure package.  19 Republican senators agreed on the BIP.  Passing it now (although it should have been passed months ago) has absolutely no downside for Biden; it'd be a kept promise and major bipartisan achievement.  Biden agreeing to hold it hostage for a pie-in-the-sky $3.5T entitlement bill is pure lunacy and shows how unnatural of a political operator he has always been.   

If trying to get a bill that I believe strongly will be a boon for the American people passed after the voters handed Democrats a trifecta is “ideologically-motivated social engineering” then sign me up. It’s plausible that holding up the bill for leverage on BBB was for naught, and if so then we should have passed it many months ago. But if holding up the BIF does ultimately make BBB a lot better, then I’m all for it.

[MR DARK BRANDON]

Someone tell me: What is "progressive" about holding the infrastructure bill hostage?

These people should be called regressives.

“YAAAAS QUEEN KEEP BLOCKING ANY REAL PROGRESS FROM BEING MADE!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️“

What comments on AOC’s lives are basically saying.

Hope she gets to have her little insta live, after all the damage she and her idiots have caused.

[roxas11]

I (and Democrats should) care about the contents of the agenda and the effect it will be have the country. Electoral ramifications are secondary.

That's ideologically-motivated social engineering, not how you govern in a pluralistic democracy.

Biden campaigned on an infrastructure package.  19 Republican senators agreed on the BIP.  Passing it now (although it should have been passed months ago) has absolutely no downside for Biden; it'd be a kept promise and major bipartisan achievement.  Biden agreeing to hold it hostage for a pie-in-the-sky $3.5T entitlement bill is pure lunacy and shows how unnatural of a political operator he has always been.    

I don't think it's lunacy for any president to want 2 bills instead of 1

Now is it greedy sure, but any other politician in Biden's position would have done the same thing. Biden saw an opportunity to get more and he took it.

As you correctly pointed out, this can very well backfire on him in the end and I think Biden himself, knows full well that is a possibility, but if he were to succeed in getting both bills it would be a far bigger deal than just passing infrastructure.

I won't sugarcoat it This a shameless and very risky strategy by Biden, but if it works he will end up getting far more than just an infrastructure bill

[emailking]

After Manchin and Sinema cost the Democrats Virginia last night (maybe long-term if they are able to pass voting restrictions there), the least they can do it quickly pass BBB and limit the damage. We need a really strong and united party for the entire next year. No more infighting!

Manchin and Sinema already voted for the infrastructure bill.

It's the so-called "progressives" in the House holding the bill hostage.

Is it holding it hostage if they're just against it? I don't think all of the Dems are a yes on that bill in a vacuum.

Are they against it, or just don't think, it's enough?

I think they're against it, but willing to vote for it as a compromise if they get the other bill.

Which Dems are actually against the BIF on its own merits? Out of the whole Progressive Caucus, I only saw two members of the Squad (AOC and Cori Bush) express opposition to the BIF on environmental grounds, and then only briefly. I don't believe there are 5 Dems opposed to the BIF, they only threaten to oppose it because they are holding it hostage to the BBB.

I don't know. It's my sense of it based on what they have said. I'm also a bit tired at the circular discussion on this that happens almost every day.

[jaichind]

https://news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-report-state/salt-compromise-would-narrow-income-eligibility-lawmakers-say

"SALT Compromise Would Narrow Income Eligibility, Lawmakers Say"

It seems the SALT cap removal would go away for those with AGI above $500K.  If so then this really just a political talking point and does not solve the Blue state Dem problem of the migration of high-income individuals from Blue states to low tax red states.  The problem was never $300K-$500K  AGI moving from NY/NJ to FL.  I was always the $5 million+ crowd that has or might migrate in the future.  This does nothing to reduce that flow.

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Rules committee will resume testimony on BBB at 4:15 ET. Not sure if they will vote it out tonight or not.

[jaichind]

SALT Cap Raised to $72.5K from $10K in House Democrats’ Proposed Bill.  I have to assume this is phased out after AGI reaches $500K.  Again this helps some number of people in high tax blue states but does not solve the real problem of the migration of the very high-income taxpayers to low tax red states that the original GOP SALT cap induced.

[S019]

SALT Cap Raised to $72.5K from $10K in House Democrats’ Proposed Bill.  I have to assume this is phased out after AGI reaches $500K.  Again this helps some number of people in high tax blue states but does not solve the real problem of the migration of the very high-income taxpayers to low tax red states that the original GOP SALT cap induced.

Also cap was pushed back to 2031. Pretty good deal all around imo, gets SALT relief to the middle and upper middle class without being billed as a tax cut for the rich.

[jaichind]

SALT Cap Raised to $72.5K from $10K in House Democrats’ Proposed Bill.  I have to assume this is phased out after AGI reaches $500K.  Again this helps some number of people in high tax blue states but does not solve the real problem of the migration of the very high-income taxpayers to low tax red states that the original GOP SALT cap induced.

Also cap was pushed back to 2031. Pretty good deal all around imo, gets SALT relief to the middle and upper middle class without being billed as a tax cut for the rich.

I agree it is good politics but does not solve the core issue why Blue state Dems are pushing for SALT cap removal

[Morning in Atlas]

The House leadership should have taken the infrastructure bill to an up and down vote.

Let it be known who are these "progressives" who are against the infrastructure bill.

Ok if you're saying the leadership is holding it hostage I think there might be an argument there. But the progressives were willing to have the vote. I don't see how they're holding it hostage.

Don't bother with this pppolitics clown. He supports Manchin and Sinema killing BBB.

[GP270watch]

 Any Democrat trying to block free college is a god damn fool. Look at exit polls of voters with a college degree vs. those without one for like any election, including yesterday.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Any Democrat trying to block free college is a god damn fool. Look at exit polls of voters with a college degree vs. those without one for like any election, including yesterday.

We already have free College it's called PELL GRANTS everyone of us received Pell Grants if you were low income too


Graduate Schools don't have Pell Grants because it's not required it's extra education, that's why it involves logic not facts in it's tests, Law School, Med School and Nursing School includes Graduate school, no Pell Grants but if you are a practicing Attorney or Nurse or Doctor there are state programs that 0ays for your Loans 8e if you are on the Honor rolll there are Grants or if you are a Cop or Natl Guard then they pay for all college

[H. Ross Peron]

After last night's thumping, the smart thing for Democrats to do would be to drop the Sanders-Pelosi agenda, pass the bipartisan Senate infrastructure plan, and recalibrate to win some bipartisan victories going into 2022.  The Virginia defeat gives Biden an opening to say no to the left, taking it may be the only way to salvage his presidency.

That's good advice for spiritual cuckolds but not for a party in power. If you are going to lose in the midterms, then the sensible strategy is to pass as much as possible now rather than water down everything in the vague hope that conciliatory centrism will somehow save them from historical patterns of midterm losses.

[GP270watch]

Any Democrat trying to block free college is a god damn fool. Look at exit polls of voters with a college degree vs. those without one for like any election, including yesterday.

We already have free College it's called PELL GRANTS everyone of us received Pell Grants if you were low income too


Graduate Schools don't have Pell Grants because it's not required it's extra education, that's why it involves logic not facts in it's tests, Law School, Med School and Nursing School includes Graduate school, no Pell Grants but if you are a practicing Attorney or Nurse or Doctor there are state programs that 0ays for your Loans 8e if you are on the Honor rolll there are Grants or if you are a Cop or Natl Guard then they pay for all college

 We do not. If Pell Grants covered college for poor students we wouldn't have a student loan crisis.

[President Johnson]

After last night's thumping, the smart thing for Democrats to do would be to drop the Sanders-Pelosi agenda, pass the bipartisan Senate infrastructure plan, and recalibrate to win some bipartisan victories going into 2022.  The Virginia defeat gives Biden an opening to say no to the left, taking it may be the only way to salvage his presidency.

That's good advice for spiritual cuckolds but not for a party in power. If you are going to lose in the midterms, then the sensible strategy is to pass as much as possible now rather than water down everything in the vague hope that conciliatory centrism will somehow save them from historical patterns of midterm losses.

I agree, though it feels like the Democrats make this mistake over and over again. It's just sad, because a lot of their policies are actually just common-sense and not some hard left agenda. Policies that actually help a lot of people in the daily lives.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Any Democrat trying to block free college is a god damn fool. Look at exit polls of voters with a college degree vs. those without one for like any election, including yesterday.

We already have free College it's called PELL GRANTS everyone of us received Pell Grants if you were low income too


Graduate Schools don't have Pell Grants because it's not required it's extra education, that's why it involves logic not facts in it's tests, Law School, Med School and Nursing School includes Graduate school, no Pell Grants but if you are a practicing Attorney or Nurse or Doctor there are state programs that 0ays for your Loans 8e if you are on the Honor rolll there are Grants or if you are a Cop or Natl Guard then they pay for all college

 We do not. If Pell Grants covered college for poor students we wouldn't have a student loan crisis.

They cover 1/2 the cost but many of us took out loans for Dorms too Work study cover it , but Pell Grants cover tuition and books 2500 to 5K a Semester if you go to 20K a yr school it didn't cover it only 10K a yr school that's why we have Loan crisis, I lived in dorms or off campus and took out loans for my apartment some people don't live with parent's

I take them out now for Grad school p

[jojoju1998]

Any Democrat trying to block free college is a god damn fool. Look at exit polls of voters with a college degree vs. those without one for like any election, including yesterday.

We already have free College it's called PELL GRANTS everyone of us received Pell Grants if you were low income too


Graduate Schools don't have Pell Grants because it's not required it's extra education, that's why it involves logic not facts in it's tests, Law School, Med School and Nursing School includes Graduate school, no Pell Grants but if you are a practicing Attorney or Nurse or Doctor there are state programs that 0ays for your Loans 8e if you are on the Honor rolll there are Grants or if you are a Cop or Natl Guard then they pay for all college

 We do not. If Pell Grants covered college for poor students we wouldn't have a student loan crisis.

In California, a poor person could graduate without student loan debt IF and only IF, they go to a two year community college for free, and then Transfer to a Local Commuter CSU University, get the Pell grants and California's Cal Grant, and live at home with your parents without paying for housing.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Any Democrat trying to block free college is a god damn fool. Look at exit polls of voters with a college degree vs. those without one for like any election, including yesterday.

We already have free College it's called PELL GRANTS everyone of us received Pell Grants if you were low income too


Graduate Schools don't have Pell Grants because it's not required it's extra education, that's why it involves logic not facts in it's tests, Law School, Med School and Nursing School includes Graduate school, no Pell Grants but if you are a practicing Attorney or Nurse or Doctor there are state programs that 0ays for your Loans 8e if you are on the Honor rolll there are Grants or if you are a Cop or Natl Guard then they pay for all college

 We do not. If Pell Grants covered college for poor students we wouldn't have a student loan crisis.

In California, a poor person could graduate without student loan debt IF and only IF, they go to a two year community college for free, and then Transfer to a Local Commuter CSU University, get the Pell grants and California's Cal Grant, and live at home with your parents without paying for housing.

Pell Grants cover up to 10K tuition, UCLA and USC are alot more than 10K

[Vaccinated Russian Bear]

https://twitter.com/SenatorRomney/status/1455929583899922442

Dems are now to the right of Mitt Romney on among other sings taxes.

[jojoju1998]

Any Democrat trying to block free college is a god damn fool. Look at exit polls of voters with a college degree vs. those without one for like any election, including yesterday.

We already have free College it's called PELL GRANTS everyone of us received Pell Grants if you were low income too


Graduate Schools don't have Pell Grants because it's not required it's extra education, that's why it involves logic not facts in it's tests, Law School, Med School and Nursing School includes Graduate school, no Pell Grants but if you are a practicing Attorney or Nurse or Doctor there are state programs that 0ays for your Loans 8e if you are on the Honor rolll there are Grants or if you are a Cop or Natl Guard then they pay for all college

 We do not. If Pell Grants covered college for poor students we wouldn't have a student loan crisis.

In California, a poor person could graduate without student loan debt IF and only IF, they go to a two year community college for free, and then Transfer to a Local Commuter CSU University, get the Pell grants and California's Cal Grant, and live at home with your parents without paying for housing.

Pell Grants cover up to 10K tuition, UCLA and USC are alot more than 10K

Yes those are the competiive prestige insituions. But you don't need to go to a prestige school to get a degree in nursing or business which is what most people major in, you can just go to CSU NORTHRIDGE OR SACRAMENTO STATE, and tuition there is less than 6,000.

[YE]

https://twitter.com/SenatorRomney/status/1455929583899922442

Dems are now to the right of Mitt Romney on among other sings taxes.

This is terrible optics but I don’t think this will actually pass at least I hope.