White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki insists that Democratic lawmakers are closing in on a deal despite reports that there are “so many issues” that have yet to be resolved before a framework for a social spending package can be agreed upon.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, a reporter noted, “For days now, we’ve been hearing we’re very close to an agreement from you guys, from folks on the Hill, and yet so many of these issues are still outstanding.”
“So, I just kind of wonder how it’s possible that that could happen in 24 hours,” he said.
Psaki responded, “Have you covered a piece of legislation getting passed before? I think you have, right?”
“So, as you know, when it gets to the final stages of it, there is a discussion about how you achieve the goals you all share an objective to achieve. That is what we’re doing now. So we would disagree with your framing, as would anyone on the Hill, I think who’s a part of the negotiations,” she said.
She went on to say lawmakers are discussing “a range of revenue raisers as pay-fors” and that there have been “developments and progress on that front.”
Finally, Psaki said, “What we’re talking about is which components of cutting costs and making healthcare more affordable and accessible there is enough agreement on to get this across the finish line. So those are the final details that need to be worked through.”
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REPORTER: "For days now we've been hearing we're very close to an agreement from you guys, from folks on the hill, and yet so many of these issues are still outstanding…"@PressSec: “Have you covered a piece of legislation getting passed before? I think you have, right?” pic.twitter.com/4lcSVLJXPW
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) October 27, 2021
Democratic lawmakers have expressed optimism that they could reach an agreement on the framework for their social spending package before President Joe Biden departs for his second major foreign trip on Thursday.
However, Punchbowl News says that “without a big turnaround in the next 24 hours, that’s not going to happen.”
While the outlet notes that the White House agreed to include between $500 and $550 billion to combat climate change, “Democrats haven’t come to agreement on the topline cost of the package, what’s in the legislation or how to pay for it.”