President Joe Biden released a sweeping plan to pump money into transportation, renewable energy, manufacturing, and efforts to combat climate change—funded by undoing some of the tax breaks that corporations received during the Trump administration.
The $2.25 trillion, eight-year proposal is a follow-up to the $1.9 trillion economic relief bill passed earlier this month. To cover the costs, Biden wants to raise corporate taxes to 28 percent, from 21 percent. The plan also seeks a minimum tax on profits U.S. corporations earn overseas, increasing the rate to 21 percent, from roughly 13 percent.
The White House plans a second major package, which could cost $1 trillion or more, later in April to focus on social measures, including expanding healthcare and paid-leave access, and extending the child tax credit—offset by tax increases on wealthy individuals.
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Biden will offer his opening argument for the first phase of spending later today in Pittsburgh. Here's some of the key elements in the plan:
Transportation. The plan provides $620 billion for transportation. That includes $115 billion to improve bridges, highways, and roads, as well as $20 billion for road safety, which will upgrade 20,000 miles of roads and highways. There's $85 billion to modernize public transportation systems and $80 billion for Amtrak. The plan provides $25 billion for airports and $17 billion for ports, inland waterways, and ferries. Biden is also calling for $20 billion for transportation projects for disadvantaged communities.
Electric vehicles. The transportation funding would specifically direct $174 billion to electric vehicles, including sale rebates and tax incentives for consumers to buy American-made cars. It also would provide grants to state and local governments and the private sector for 500,000 charging stations by 2030. It includes funds to electrify school buses and federal vehicles such as Postal Service trucks.
Research and development. Biden is calling for $180 billion to upgrade the country's research infrastructure and labs at universities and federal agencies. The funding would also be directed toward climate-science research and addressing gender and racial inequalities in science, math, and technology fields.
Manufacturing boost. A $300 billion initiative to boost American manufacturing incorporates a number of bi-partisan initiatives that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had planned to move in a broader China bill this spring. Biden will call on Congress to invest $50 billion in semiconductor manufacturing and research—as envisioned by the CHIPS Act. There's also $50 billion for the National Science Foundation to create a technology directorate, modeled after the Endless Frontiers Act.
In addition, he is asking for $50 billion to create a new office at the Department of Commerce dedicated to monitoring domestic industrial capacity and funding investments to support production of critical goods.
Workforce development. Biden is proposing $100 billion for workforce-development programs, including training for those who have lost their jobs, as well as apprenticeship initiatives.
Electric grid. Biden is offering $100 billion to build a more resilient electric grid. He is also proposing a 10-year extension and phase-down of an expanded, refundable investment tax credit and production tax credit for renewable energy generation and storage.
The plan calls for high labor standards and allowing workers on the projects to join unions and bargain collectively. The goal is to move toward 100 percent carbon-pollution–free power by 2035. The plan also directs $16 billion to clean up abandoned mines and gas wells.
Carbon capture. The plan would create 10 carbon-capture facilities retrofitted in large steel, cement, and chemical production facilities. It expands the bi-partisan Section 45Q tax credit for carbon capture, making it refundable and easier to claim. Another $10 billion would be spent on a Civilian Climate Corps that employs Americans in conservation work on public lands and waters.
Clean water. The plan includes $45 billion to eliminate lead pipes nationwide. It also calls for $56 billion in grants and low-cost loans to states, tribes, territories, and disadvantaged communities to improve water systems and $10 billion to bolster rural-well and wastewater systems.
Broadband internet. Biden is proposing $100 billion to bring high-speed broadband internet to all Americans. The plan also includes measures to make pricing more transparent and competitive, as well as short-term subsidies for low-income households.
Housing. The proposal would provide $213 billion to build and renovate more than than 2 million affordable homes. The plan includes tax credits for building housing for low-income families and $40 billion for public housing.
Schools and child care. The plan includes $100 billion to improve public school buildings, with $50 billion in direct grants and an additional $50 billion leveraged through bonds. The plan also calls for $12 billion for community-college facilities and technology, and $25 billion to upgrade child-care facilities and provide incentives for employers to offer on-site child care.
Elder care and VA hospitals. Biden is asking Congress to approve $400 billion for housing and care for the elderly and people with disabilities. He is also proposing $18 billion for the modernization of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals and clinics.
Corporate tax hikes. The plan would raise the corporate tax levy from 21 percent to 28 percent, increasing the rate established in President Donald Trump's tax law. The plan would also institute a 15 percent minimum tax on a corporation's profits for financial-reporting purposes. This would prevent companies from racking up tax breaks to whittle down their tax bill to nothing.
International taxes. The plan would also impose a minimum tax on the profits that U.S. corporations earn overseas, increasing the rate to 21 percent. It also includes several measures that would penalize companies which move assets and jobs offshore, and it eliminates current preferences to book profits overseas.
Eliminate oil-and-gas tax breaks. The plan would eliminate all tax preferences for the oil-and-gas industry and would also require companies that pollute to pay into the Superfund Trust Fund to cover the cost of fuel-related cleanup.
IRS audits. The plan calls for additional funding for the Internal Revenue Service to increase audits on corporations. The White House says it will release additional details about tax examinations on individuals in the coming weeks.
—With assistance from Jenny Leonard.
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