Biden clarifies that he would sign a bipartisan infrastructure bill, even without Democrats-only 'tandem' bill


The White House late Saturday released a statement clarifying that President Biden will sign a bipartisan infrastructure deal even if it isn't paired with an American Families Plan that Senate Democrats are working on. Biden and group of senators — five Republicans and five Democrats — announced the landmark $600 billion infrastructure deal on Thursday. Hours later, Biden told reporters if the infrastructure bill "is the only thing that comes to me, I'm not signing it. It's in tandem."
On Saturday, Biden said those comments "created the impression that I was issuing a veto threat on the very plan I had just agreed to, which was certainly not my intent." In fact, "I gave my word to support the infrastructure plan, and that's what I intend to do," he added. "I fully stand behind it without reservation or hesitation." Biden has been personally calling Republicans with the same message, Politico reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Another name for the Gulf of Mexico | May 17 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Saturday's political cartoons feature a new Air Force One, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and 'undocumented' immigrants.
-
5 jumbo-sized political cartoons about Qatar's 'gift' to Trump
Cartoons Editorial cartoons feature artists' takes on Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East.
-
Broccoli and cashew stir-fry recipe
The Week Recommends This nutty dish is a satisfying vegetarian option
-
Supreme Court weighs court limits amid birthright ban
speed read President Trump's bid to abolish birthright citizenship has sparked questions among federal judges about blocking administration policies
-
Why do GOP lawmakers want to ban state-level AI regulation?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION House Republicans are pushing to block states from making their own AI laws for the next ten years, even as expert warn the results could be disastrous.
-
Gabbard fires intelligence chiefs after Venezuela report
speed read Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has fired the top two officials leading the National Intelligence Council
-
Trump vows to lift Syria sanctions
speed read The move would help the new government stabilize the country following years of civil war
-
Senate rejects Trump's Library of Congress takeover
speed read Congress resisted the president's attempts to control 'the legislative branch's premier research body'
-
Will Republicans tax the rich?
Today's Big Question Trump is waffling on the possibility of taxing wealthy earners
-
Hamas frees US hostage in deal sidelining Israel
speed read Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old soldier, was the final living US citizen held by the militant group
-
White Afrikaners land in US as Trump-declared refugees
speed read An exception was made to Trump's near-total ban on admitting refugees for the white South Africans