Upon her return to Capitol Hill from a meeting at the White House on Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters that a deal was within reach on congressional Democrats’ sweeping social spending package.
Pelosi met with President Joe Biden on Friday, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer joining them virtually, as Democrats seek an agreement on the spending package that comprises key portions of the president’s domestic agenda. Congressional Democrats have thus far failed to reach an agreement between their liberal and centrist members.
“We had a very positive meeting this morning,” Pelosi said. “I’m very optimistic.”
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Pelosi did not shed light on when the deal can be expected or when there would be a vote.
Asked if Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin were on board for a deal, she replied, “That’s up to the Senate and the White House to decide.” Manchin and Sinema have objected to the size and scope of a $3.5 trillion proposal. Manchin has said his price cap is $1.5 trillion, far below what socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and members of the House Progressive Caucus are pushing.
Pelosi called the spending package “bigger than anything we’ve ever done with Americans,” arguing it will create jobs and address “urgent” climate needs.
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“Much of what we need to do has been written,” she said, adding that “just a few decisions” remain.
