President Biden ‘Eager’ to Work with Senate on Infrastructure Budget

FILE – In this Jan. 28, 2021 file photo, President Joe Biden signs a series of executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Biden campaigned on raising the national minimum wage to $15 per hour and attached a proposal doing just that to the $1.9 trillion coronavirus pandemic relief bill. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The White House says President Joe Biden is awaiting an infrastructure counteroffer from Senate Republicans. But talks are at standstill before a Memorial Day deadline. A core group of GOP negotiators rejected Biden’s latest $1.7 trillion proposal as too big.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Monday the president is “eager to engage” with Republicans. No new talks are scheduled. Psaki said the Republicans have “a ways more to go” to find common ground with the administration.

Biden dropped $500 billion from his initial $2.3 trillion offer. Psaki said Republicans raised their $568 billion offer by about $50 billion.

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