Biden begs rebel Democrats to back his $3trillion spending plans

JOE BIDEN last night pleaded with defiant members of his party to “send the bill to my desk” as he tried to push through his massive spending plans.

Democrats in the House of Representatives inched towards voting on Mr Biden’s twin bills, costing a combined $3 trillion (£2.2 trillion), which include a huge expansion of welfare.

There was renewed urgency among Democrats after their defeat in Tuesday’s election for Governor of Virginia.

Many Democrats viewed that as a sign the party’s support was becoming disillusioned by months of internal bickering over Mr Biden’s proposals.

The President said: “I’m asking every House member to vote yes on both these bills right now. Let’s show the world that America’s democracy can deliver and propel our country forward.

“Send the infrastructure bill to my desk. Send the Build Back Better bill to the Senate. Let’s get this done.”

Mr Biden spent much of yesterday making phone calls to Democrat members of Congress urging them to back him and vote.

The $1.2trillion infrastructure package had been passed by the Senate, and needed to be passed by the House before going to Mr Biden for his signature.

Meanwhile, the $1.85trillion social welfare bill has to go to the Senate after the House. Even once passed, detailed arguments between moderate and Leftwing Democrats over the 2,135-page bill were anticipated.

It was expected to be reduced in size in the Senate, where moderate Democrat senator Joe Manchin has led scepticism about the price tag and scale of the programmes included in it. The package is to be funded by tax increases, including raising the top rate of income tax to its highest level since 1986.

With Republicans united in opposition – some have condemned the welfare Bill as a “socialist” tax and spending measure – Democrats in the House could only afford to lose three votes from within their party and still pass it.