Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2021

April 19, 2021

The President. Thanks for coming in, guys. I want to thank my colleaguesâthey're still my colleagues; I'm more of a Member of Congress than I've been here. Andâbut I'm glad you all came down.

We're going to talk about our infrastructure package. And as I indicated earlier, I am prepared to compromise, prepared to see what we can do and what we can get together on. It's a big package, but there's a lot of needs.

And so we're going to be talking about, number one, what should be included in the packageâobviously, I put a lot in the package; I think it all should be includedâand how to pay for it. And there are two issues.

I've noticed everybody is for infrastructure. [*Laughter*] The question is: Who's going to pay for it? And that's what we're going to try to work out today, at least in this bipartisan group of Members of the House and Senate.

And, a little secret here, we're going toâin full disclosure, I asked Senators and Congressmen who had either been Governors or mayors because they know what it's like to make things work, to make sure that you get things done and deal with infrastructure and the needs of your community.

So that's why we're here. Weâhopefully, we'll be able to reach some kind of consensus, at least in broad terms.

So thank you all for coming in. And we'll be talking to you later.

Infrastructure

Q. Mr. President, what do you think about the idea of paying for it with user fees?

The President. That's what we're going to talk about. We're going to talk about all that right now.

Thank you very much. Thank you.

NOTE: The President spoke at 1:36 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White House.

Categories: Addresses and Remarks : Infrastructure and jobs legislation, meetings with Members of Congress; Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters :: White House.

Locations: Washington, DC.

Subjects: Congress : Bipartisanship; Employment and unemployment : Job creation and growth; Infrastructure, national improvement efforts.

DCPD Number: DCPD202100328.

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