White House: "Biden to Announce Infrastructure Investment Plan on the 31st"

Education and Health-Related Plans Scheduled for Next Month
Total Expected Scale: $3 Trillion

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Joe Biden is set to announce an infrastructure investment plan in Pittsburgh on the 31st, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced on the 28th (local time).

In an interview with Fox News that day, Press Secretary Psaki previewed that the first infrastructure investment plan will be announced first, followed by a second set of measures related to education and healthcare next month. Among the infrastructure-related measures estimated to be worth $3 trillion, those related to civil engineering, construction, and clean energy will be announced first.

Psaki said, "President Biden believes that infrastructure investment can receive bipartisan support." Unlike the previously promoted economic stimulus measures, infrastructure investment is linked to lawmakers' constituencies, making it difficult for Republican lawmakers to oppose it unanimously.

Psaki pointed out, "I don't think Republican lawmakers are satisfied with the fact that the U.S. ranks 13th in national competitiveness related to infrastructure." The World Economic Forum (WEF) estimated the U.S. national competitiveness as second in the world after Singapore, but its infrastructure-related competitiveness was rated 13th.

The Republican Party opposes the plan again due to the need for securing large additional funding, but signs of change are emerging. Representative Julia Letlow (Louisiana) said in an interview with CBS on the same day, "High-speed communication must be provided even to rural areas like my district," expressing attention to the infrastructure investment-related bill.

Psaki explained, "President Biden will disclose the funding methods and listen to the voices of bipartisan lawmakers."

According to sources, President Biden recently emphasized infrastructure and education investment plans to Democratic senators and expressed a desire to introduce a fair taxation policy.

The problem is that political strife may intensify as Republicans, centered around Georgia, attempt to restrict voters' voting rights, potentially sidelining infrastructure investment discussions. In Georgia, a mail-in voting restriction bill has already been signed by the governor, deepening conflicts between the Democratic and Republican parties.

In this regard, Raphael Warnock, U.S. Senator from Georgia (Democrat), raised his voice on the same day, saying that President Biden's infrastructure investment plan and voting rights issues must be handled promptly. He emphasized, "We must work for our country's infrastructure such as roads and bridges. We must also work on the infrastructure of our democracy."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.