Looking for maverick Republicans

President Joe Biden is having a tough time getting his Build Back Better Program through the U. S. Senate. Among Democrats in the Senate, 96% support the program. For passage, he is two votes short. Some pundits say his failure to secure the votes of 100% of Senate Democrats shows that the president lacks leadership.

Talk of Mr. Biden’s struggle rages on as pundits ignore Senate Republicans as if they don’t exist. No Senate Republican supports the Build Back Better Program, even though millions upon millions of their constituents in places like Appalachia would benefit from expanded child care and health care, assistance in the inevitable transition from coal and other fossil fuels to clean energy, free preschool and affordable, quality home care for the elderly and people with disabilities.

Senate Republicans raise the fear of deficit spending, even though when they rammed through deficitspurring tax cuts for the wealthiest 5% of Americans, those fears were stifled.

The Build Back Better Program would be paid for by undoing some of those cuts. It would provide for a minimum tax of 15% on corporations that have over $1 billion in profits, a 15% global minimum tax on corporations to discourage them from shifting profits and jobs overseas, and a surtax on the wealthiest .02% of Americans. Unlike the tax cuts for the very wealthy, the Build Back Better Program would not add to the deficit.

Americans need leadership that will help them attain a better future. Maybe two Republican Senators could provide some.

DON WALKO Ohio Township The writer is a former Pennsylvania House Member and former Allegheny County

Common Pleas judge.