White House proposes lower $1.7T infrastructure in GOP talks

The White House has put forward a $1.7 trillion infrastructure counteroffer to Senate Republicans

WASHINGTON -- The White House put forward a $1.7 trillion infrastructure counteroffer Friday to Senate Republicans, dropping from President Joe Biden's sweeping $2.3 trillion proposal “in the spirit of finding common ground.” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki disclosed the new offer as talks were still underway between key Cabinet secretaries and GOP senators at a crucial stage toward a deal. Skepticism had been rising on all sides amid complaints about the lack of significant movement off the opening bids. Republicans had offered a $568 billion plan. “This proposal exhibits a willingness to come down in size,” she said at the press briefing. The White House and Republican senators have been in talks ever since Biden met with a core group of Republican negotiators last week over the possibility of working together on an infrastructure plan. The White House dispatched the transportation and commerce secretaries and top aides to Capitol Hill to meet with the Republicans earlier this week, and they had a follow up video-call Friday.