President Joe Biden says it is unlikely Democrats are going to get $3.5 trillion for his spending bill this year.
While delivering remarks Friday, Biden explained, âThe cost of the Build Back Better bill, in terms of adding to the deficit, is zero. So when I hear people say, âIt cost $3.5 trillionâŚâ To be honest with you, weâre probably not going to get $3.5 trillion this year.â
He added, âWeâre going to get something less than that. But Iâm going to negotiate, Iâm going to get it done.â
Watch the presidentâs remarks below:
The president previously claimed his agenda cost zero dollars in a tweet.
âMy Build Back Better Agenda costs zero dollars. Instead of wasting money on tax breaks, loopholes, and tax evasion for big corporations and the wealthy, we can make a once-in-a-generation investment in working America,â Biden said.
He continued, âAnd it adds zero dollars to the national debt.â
Biden received criticism for his suggestion from lawmakers.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) tweeted, âLetâs make one thing clear since Joe Biden seems so keen on repeating his false statistic: A $3.5 TRILLION tax and spending plan does not, and cannot, cost âzero dollars.'â
Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) fired back at Biden, saying, âSimple math for President Biden: $3.5 trillion does NOT equal zero.â
She continued, âI have to admit, I thought this was from a parody account when I first read it. It was disturbing to see it was actually from our President. He thinks he can spend an unprecedented $3.5 trillion and not add a penny to the debt? This is who is in charge? Scary.â
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) indicated Democrats could make cuts to the presidentâs economic plan.
âIn order to pass both the Build Back Better Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill on time, it is essential that difficult decisions must be made very soon,â she said to House Democrats.
Pelosi went on, âOverwhelmingly, the guidance I am receiving from Members is to do fewer things well so that we can still have a transformative impact on families in the workplace and responsibly address the climate crisis: a Build Back Better agenda for jobs and the planet For The Children!â
House committees reportedly approved portions of what can be included in the final bill, including extending the child tax credit expansion, paid family and medical leave, lowering child care costs, lowering higher education costs, and closing the Medicaid coverage gap.
