Biden, top Dems strategize; Pelosi says deal ‘very possible’

WASHINGTON >> President Joe Biden and Congress’ top two Democrats strategized Friday trying to wrap up their giant domestic legislation, as the party continued scaling back the measure and determining ways to pay for it ahead of new deadlines.

Biden had breakfast at the White House with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer joined in a call from New York. The leaders have been working with party moderates and progressives to shrink the once-$3.5 trillion, 10-year package of social services and climate change strategies to around $2 trillion, pushing for an agreement.

Pelosi said a deal is “very possible.”

She told reporters back at the Capitol that more than 90% of the package was agreed to — the climate change components of the bill “are resolved,” but outstanding questions remain on health care provisions.

Pelosi said she hopes the House can start voting on it next week.

“Much of what we need to do has been written. Just a few decisions now,” Pelosi said.

Democrats have set an informal goal of agreeing to an outline of the plan by the end of this week. A broad compromise between the party’s progressives and moderates on the measure’s price tag, revenue sources and basic components could lay the groundwork for final agreements on detailed legislation, leaders hope.

Democrats want to reach an accord on the legislation before Biden departs for a trip to Europe late next week.

The changes come as Biden more forcefully appeals to the American public, including in a televised town hall Thursday, for what he says are the middle-class values at the heart of his proposal.