Biden signs $ 1 trillion infrastructure bill

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WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden signed into law a $ 1 trillion infrastructure bill at a White House ceremony Monday that drew Democrats and Republicans pushing through the legislation through a deeply divided US Congress.

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The measure is designed to create jobs nationwide by distributing billions of dollars to state and local governments to repair dilapidated bridges and roads and by expanding broadband Internet access to millions of Americans.

The bill’s signing ceremony, which took place in cold weather on the South Lawn of the White House to accommodate a large crowd, was an increasingly rare moment in which members on both sides were willing. to come together and celebrate a bipartisan achievement.

Biden, whose job approval rating has fallen due to his handling of the economy and other issues, heard supportive chants of “Joe, Joe, Joe” from some in the crowd and received a standing ovation as he stepped up to the microphone.

Biden said the bill’s passage shows that “despite the cynics, Democrats and Republicans can come together and get results.” He called the bill a “blue collar model for rebuilding America.”

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“Too often in Washington, the reason we don’t do things is because we insist on getting everything we want. With this law, we focus on getting things done, ”Biden said.

Speakers included Senator Kyrsten Sinema, the centrist Democrat from Arizona whose opposition to some tax increases has forced the reduction of a companion piece of legislation, Biden’s $ 1.75 trillion social safety net plan “Build Back Better ”.

Sinema and his colleague, Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who also attended, have angered some in their party for resisting a number of elements sought by progressives in the social spending bill. Sinema appeared to address the criticism in her comments.

“Enforcing this legislation for the American people – this is what it looks like when elected leaders put differences aside, silence the noise, and focus on delivering results on the issues that matter most to everyday Americans,” he said. .

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Republicans in attendance included Senator Rob Portman of Ohio, Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, and Maryland Governor Larry Hogan.

Some Republicans who received criticism from their party’s right wing for backing the legislation stayed away.

Biden signed an executive order ahead of the ceremony ordering US-made materials to be prioritized in infrastructure projects, the White House said.

He also established a task force comprised of senior cabinet officials to guide the implementation of the legislation, co-chaired by former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu.

The bill had become a partisan lightning rod, with Republicans complaining that the Democrats who control the House of Representatives delayed its passage to secure the party’s support for Biden’s $ 1.75 trillion social policy and climate change legislation, which Republicans reject.

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STRUGGLE FOR LOOMS FOR SOCIAL EXPENSES

There was a festive atmosphere at the ceremony. Biden joked that Portman, who is not running for re-election and does not have to face criticism from within his own Republican Party, is a “good guy.” I know I won’t hurt you, Rob, because you won’t run again. “

Rep. Don Young, an 88-year-old Republican from Alaska, taunted Biden about the length of the ceremony when he sat down to sign the bill.

“We wondered when you were going to stop. We almost froze to death, ”he said.

It’s unclear how long the bipartisan spirit will last, as both sides expect a major battle over the social safety net plan.

Biden’s Build Back Better package includes provisions on child and preschool care, elderly care, medical care, prescription drug prices, and immigration.

The White House expects House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to take the bill to a vote this week. That will be just a first step, though, as the Senate has yet to adopt the legislation and Democratic divisions could threaten his chances in that chamber.

Biden and senior officials in his administration are taking the road to promote the infrastructure plan. Visit New Hampshire on Tuesday and Michigan on Wednesday.