McConnell pledges battle over Biden infrastructure plan

U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday faced the prospect of all-out political war with Republicans over his $2 trillion blueprint to revitalize America's infrastructure, with a top Democrat also offering only partial support over how to pay for the package. The 100-seat Senate is split 50-50 between lawmakers who caucus with Democrats and Republicans, though Vice President Harris can cast a tiebreaking vote.

"It will generate historic job growth, historic economic growth, help businesses to compete internationally, create more revenue as well", Biden said, noting that among the highest-value investments is investment in the nation's "crumbling" infrastructure. But the White House is arguing that many provisions in the proposal are broadly popular with the American people, hoping to convince skeptical members of Congress to support the so-called American Jobs Plan.

Those Cabinet members are: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

Biden has proposed funding the package by raising the tax rate on US corporations to 28% from 21% and making it harder for companies to use offshore tax shelters and other methods to reduce their tax burdens.

Congressional Republicans have panned the White House plan, alleging it is full of wasteful spending and would be damaging to American businesses.

McConnell has described Biden's corporate tax increase scheme as a "Trojan horse".

"When asked, Nats confirmed he will not throw out the first pitch, but a spokeswoman said 'We look forward to welcoming President Biden to Nationals Park in the future'".

McConnell warned that "massive tax increases" would harm the economy and said the package's spending level could run up the debt.

"The proposal would aggressively drive down the use of traditional energy resources and eliminate good-paying jobs in West Virginia and across the country", she added in a statement. Klain suggested reprising a similar argument over the infrastructure plan. "And we'll be discussing that today, among other things", Biden said of the meeting.

"This is investing in the people of this country", said Fudge. "There's no reason why it can't be bipartisan again", Biden said, citing GOP support for other infrastructure measures.