Biden’s First Congressional Address & The American Families Plan

In his first formal address to a joint session of Congress, the president outlined his spending proposals for a $2 trillion-plus infrastructure bill and a $1.8 trillion education, childcare, and paid leave initiative. The administration ensured American’s that each proposal would be paid for with tax increases on corporations and wealthier households over a 15-year period.

In his address, Biden highlighted that he expects his Infrastructure “blue-collar blueprint to build America” Plan to provide good-paying jobs that can’t be outsourced,” — 90 percent of which he expects will not require a college degree

As expected, the Plan lacks bipartisan support as Biden’s address was followed by South Carolina Senator Scott’s rebuttal claiming the President’s plan was merely a “liberal wish list.”

The American Families Plan proposals include:

• Free universal pre-school for all three- and four-year olds ($200 billion)
• Two years of free community college for all Americans ($109 billion)
• Increased investment in childcare to ensure that childcare costs for low and middle-income families are no more than 7 percent of their income, improve the quality of care, and offer a $15 minimum wage for all early childhood staff ($225 billion)
• Creation of a national comprehensive paid family and medical leave program, providing workers up to $4,000 a month for twelve weeks of paid parental, family, and personal leave ($225 billion)
• Extension of expanded tax credits for Affordable Care Act premiums from the American Rescue Plan

House Speaker Pelosi has set July 4^th as the target date to vote on the passage.

The Census, Congress, and Changes

The Census Bureau released information this week that will impact federal congressional apportionment figures. Six states, including Florida, North Carolina, Montana, Colorado, Oregon, and Texas will gain seats. Alternatively, seven states including California New York, and Pennsylvania will lose one seat each.

Texas had the largest population growth of all states over the past 10 years and will gain 2 House seats. The other five states will each gain one House seat. For the first time in its 170-year history, California will lose one seat alongside Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Earmarks Update

This week, Senate Appropriations Chairman Leahy announced that the Senate will include earmarks in the FY’22 appropriations bills. These earmarks will allow the use of federal funds to support a limited number of local projects that are of interest to lawmakers.

Vaccine Update

CDC’s New Mask Guidelines
On Tuesday, the CDC released updated guidance explaining Americans who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus no longer need to wear a mask outdoors while walking, running, hiking, or biking alone, or when in small gatherings, including with members of their own households. However, masks will be needed crowded outdoor venues like sports stadiums. U.S. health regulators lifted a previously set 10-day pause of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, so officials couple carry out an investigation of rare instances of blood clots in patients last Friday.

AstraZeneca
The White House announced plans to provide 60 million doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine to other countries over the next few months. Because the company has yet to apply for an emergency authorization from the FDA, it still is not authorized for use in the U.S.