Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg dismissed Democrats’ and Republicans’ differences as a “dorm room debate over which policies belong in which category” during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday.”
Buttigieg was referring to the ongoing “debate” over the meaning of the word “infrastructure” as the Biden administration appears to be wrapping up negotiations over an “infrastructure package” they value at $1.7 billion. What GOP lawmakers think the plan is too broad and includes things that do not fall under the category of “infrastructure.”
“We think of it as infrastructure because infrastructure is the foundation that lets people participate in the economy, and as so many people watching this program know when you’re taking care of a loved one, doing some of those things because you don’t have the kind of care structure to look after them, you can’t even get a job because you’re in this elder care situation because somehow we’re one of the only developed countries that doesn’t take care of this,” Buttigieg said. “That’s holding you back, the same way it holds you back if you don’t have a road or bridge to get to where you want to go.”
Lead Republican negotiator Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W. Va., also appeared on “Fox News Sunday” and took issue with the Biden administration, including what she considered to be non-infrastructure items in the Democrats’ proposal.
“The president has $400 billion for the caring economy … great things to talk about, but not part of a core infrastructure package,” she said. “We just think we would be better off if we just looked at a core, solid definition that is traditionally thought of as infrastructure.”
A group of Republicans countered Biden’s $1.7 trillion offer — down from $2.25 trillion — with a trimmed-down $928 billion plan. Instead of bankrolling the proposal by raising the top corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%, they suggested repurposing unused COVID relief funds.
The White House left the door open to accepting the GOP infrastructure counteroffer prior to the Memorial Day Holiday but said that figuring out how to pay for the plan was unclear.
Press secretary Jen Psaki said President Biden called Capito to thank her for her proposal and was awaiting more details. Psaki said the plan “provides no substantial new funds” for veterans’ hospitals, clean energy jobs, building modern rail systems, repairing transit systems, and removing lead pipes.
“The president’s spokesperson said everything has been allocated, it hasn’t gone out the door,” Capito told “Fox News Sunday.” “We have hundreds of billions of dollars that could be reprogrammed towards something as core as infrastructure, and I think that’s what we should be looking at. It’s dollars that were way over-allocated that still have yet to be spent.”
Capito appeared optimistic that the Biden administration would try to work with Republicans instead of bypass them.
“[The president] expressed to me and to our group numerous times his desire to work with us and to negotiate a package,” she said. “We’re inching towards one another. I understand there’s a deadline here. It’s worth it to show this country we can work together. We can reach compromise for the good of everybody.”
What do you think is the definition of “infrastructure”? Should it include things other than roads, bridges, and the like? Please reply using the comments below.
Roads, bridges, utility grids (all gases, water, electric, communication AND nuclear energy)
It’s not that freaking hard. Movement of people and energy IS INFRASTRUCTURE. PERIOD.
I suppose that isn’t a chair that Buttigieg is sitting his rear ended on it’s a face plant device and he doesn’t know which end is up. Works either way since his head is in the same area as up his rear ended.
“Infrastructure” is DEFINITELY NOT the commiecrats definition of the word! Why do they always want to change the meaning meaning of plain, simple words? So it will fit their Bizarro-world ideals! There is NO such thing as UTOPIA! GET REAL, PEOPLE!!!
Taking care of loved ones is not infrastructure my friends. Infrastructure has always meant the mechanical aspects of keeping our cities running, whether is power, sewer, water, roads etc. it has nothing to do specifically with humans. We are not yet robots where they could call us a mechanical Infrastructure device.
This is no more than a DemonRat power grab to hand out more succor to those not willing to stand on their own two feet. Look what welfare has done to the Black family which it has almost destroyed. All the Pork in any bill needs to be taken out because almost all of it is for political Pet Projects to benefit powerful Senators or Hours Member.’s constituency, BECAUSE IT MEANS VOTES. THIS IS NOT HOW OUR COUNTRY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE RUN.
How would he know he thinks he is a girl.
The Democrats infrastructure ideas are to encompassing and are just their way to control Americans by giving them money whatever happened to the good old of what you could do for your country not what your country will do for you there are to many people with their hand out and the Democrats are giving it to them
Infrastructureis not “care packages”, babysitters, etc; it’s roads, bridges, tunnels, power & water stations & structures (pipes, power lines, etc), sewage treatment plants and pipes, MAYBE internet, and cell phone towers, and the gear to run and monitor the installations. That’s infrastructure. If you want to go “green”, include bike lanes, side walks or multi-use paths. The rest of w is at Dems want is a leftist wet dream wish list we do not have, or have a way to get, the money to pay for, so FORGET IT. It’s NOT “society’s” job to take care of your family; that’s your job.
Nobody in Washington knows what infrastructure is. They want it to be what they want it to be. We do NOT have the brightest bulbs in the lamp to depend on. These people to to hear themselves take. No ne of it is gospel. Disgraceful!!!
Buttgig knowing what infrastructure is in Biden/Obama’s money give away?Funny!
Didn’t they already get trillions of dollars for social programs? They sold the “Covid relief bill” to do infrastructure and now they want an “infrastructure bill” for social programs. This administration is one shell game after another. Why can’t they call things what they are and just be honest.
Buttgig wouldn’t know his butt from a hole in the ground, as both are frequently filled.