US President Biden touts infrastructure deal in Kentucky visit

The Democratic president visited the deep-red state in a push for bipartisanship, alongside Republican Mitch McConnell.

Joe Biden and Mitch McConnell shake hands in front of the Brent Spence Bridge
Senate minority chief Mitch McConnell welcomes US President Joe Biden to Kentucky, the state he represents in Congress [Kevin Lamarque/Reuters]

United States President Joe Biden has met with Senate Republican chief Mitch McConnell within the southern state of Kentucky, the place he promoted the advantages of a 2021 infrastructure spending package deal and pushed for larger bipartisanship.

Biden visited the Brent Spence Bridge on the border of Kentucky and Ohio on Wednesday to spotlight initiatives that stand to profit from the $1 trillion infrastructure deal, a centrepiece of the president’s legislative agenda. The worn-out double-decker bridge is because of obtain upgrades as a part of the spending package deal.

“When the president ran for workplace, he stated that, if elected, he would use the ability of the presidency to deliver the nation collectively,” senior White Home adviser Mitch Landrieu informed reporters on Wednesday. “And once we [do] that, we will do massive issues. And there’s no higher instance of that than the Brent Spence Bridge.”

Throughout the journey, Biden additionally addressed what he depicted as Republican dysfunction within the US Home of Representatives. The 2022 midterm elections gave Republicans a majority within the Home, however on the first session of the Republican-controlled chamber on Tuesday, infighting stalled efforts to identify a speaker to preside over proceedings.

Republican chief Kevin McCarthy had been seen because the almost definitely candidate to imagine the speaker place. However he has to date failed win the gavel, with far-right members of his occasion opposing his management.

“That’s not my downside,” Biden stated of the vote for Home speaker. “I simply assume it’s actually embarrassing it’s taking so lengthy.”

Due to the cut up Congress — with the Home in Republican management and the Senate in Democratic fingers —  Biden faces an uphill battle in advancing his legislative priorities within the yr forward.

However Biden’s look on Wednesday with McConnell, a strong Republican tactician, has been seen as an effort to promote cooperation throughout the aisle. Democrats hope to attract consideration to the administration’s accomplishments over the past two years, to spur momentum for bipartisan motion.

The infrastructure invoice, which Biden signed into legislation in November 2021, will deliver greater than $1.6bn in federal grants to Ohio and Kentucky, the deep-red state McConnell represents in Congress. A part of the funds will assist restore the Brent Spence Bridge and alleviate congestion by constructing a second bridge subsequent to it, permitting for simpler journey between the 2 states.

“It sends an vital message to the whole nation: we will work collectively,” Biden stated throughout his Wednesday look with McConnell. “We will get issues completed. We will transfer the nation ahead if we simply drop somewhat little bit of our egos and give attention to what is required for the nation.”

Different members of the Biden administration, together with Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, have been travelling this week, visiting bridges that can obtain funds in Illinois and Connecticut, respectively.

The infrastructure deal may even dole out funds for enhancements to roads, broadband and water infrastructure throughout the nation. Democrats and a few Republicans supported the invoice, however the GOP has taken a largely adversarial stance in the direction of the Biden administration.

Throughout Wednesday’s go to, Biden additionally introduced plans to go to the US-Mexico border subsequent week, as Republicans push his administration for larger immigration enforcement. Proper-wing lawmakers have criticised the president for failing to go to the southern border since taking workplace.

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