|
|
|
|
|
|
Biden to Compare Economic Plan With GOP03/28 06:06
President Joe Biden will visit an expanding North Carolina semiconductor
manufacturer on Tuesday as he launches an extended effort to spotlight the
impact legislation passed earlier in his administration is having on the U.S.
economy and contrast his vision with that of Republicans as they square off on
budget priorities.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Joe Biden will visit an expanding North
Carolina semiconductor manufacturer on Tuesday as he launches an extended
effort to spotlight the impact legislation passed earlier in his administration
is having on the U.S. economy and contrast his vision with that of Republicans
as they square off on budget priorities.
Biden's visit to Wolfspeed follows the Durham-based company's announcement
last September to build a $5 billion manufacturing facility in Chatham County
that is expected to create 1,800 new jobs. Biden had won passage last July of a
$280 billion legislative package known as the CHIPS Act, which was intended to
boost the U.S. semiconductor industry and scientific research.
It's nothing new for the Biden administration to highlight the CHIPS Act,
the $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill, the $1 trillion infrastructure legislation
and a roughly $375 billion climate bill -- major legislation that the
Democratic administration steered into law before Democrats lost control of the
House.
But now, just weeks after Biden unveiled his own budget -- it includes $2.6
trillion in new spending -- his administration is looking for chances to lean
into its battle with Republicans over spending priorities and who has better
ideas to steward the U.S. economy in the years to come. Republicans have
rejected Biden's budget but have yet to unveil their own counteroffer to the
Democrats' blueprint, which is built around tax increases on the wealthy and a
vision statement of sorts for Biden's yet-to-be-declared campaign for
reelection in 2024.
The White House says Biden while in North Carolina will highlight that his
legislative efforts have spurred $435 billion in private-sector manufacturing
commitments since he took office. That includes more than $200 billion in clean
energy, electric vehicle and battery investments, more than $200 billion in
semiconductors and about $15 billion in biomanufacturing investments, according
to the White House.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that Biden wants to
demonstrate "what's at stake if MAGA Republicans in Congress get their way and
repeal the Inflation Reduction Act, hike taxes on hardworking families and
slash funding for manufacturing innovation and research."
Besides Biden's visit to Wolfspeed Inc., Vice President Kamala Harris, first
lady Jill Biden and other senior administration officials will fan out to 20
states over the next three weeks to highlight the impact of Biden's economic
agenda, according to the White House.
Biden has said he intends to run for a second term but has yet to formally
launch his reelection campaign.
His administration's effort to highlight legislative victories could also
give him an opportunity to present voters with images of an administration
focused on governing as the Republican 2024 frontrunner, former President
Donald Trump, braces for a possible indictment.
Trump is being investigated over payments during his 2016 campaign to two
women who alleged affairs or sexual encounters with him. The ex-president
denies being involved with either of the women -- porn actor Stormy Daniels and
model Karen McDougal.
Trump narrowly won North Carolina in 2020. Among the other states that Biden
and administration officials will be visiting in the weeks ahead are Georgia,
Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada and Wisconsin -- crucial battlegrounds that
Biden won in 2020 and states expected to be competitive again in 2024.
|
|
|