HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - Connecticut's two U.S. senators are sharing their confidence with residents about the passage of President Joe Biden's $1.75 trillion "Build Back Better" plan following the announcement of a framework agreement.
According to U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, the agreement between Biden and congressional Democrats announced on Thursday made them optimistic about the plan passing.
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"Progressives had their wish lists, so did moderates, in each of the two houses in Congress," Blumenthal said, "Now we've come together and progressives are saying, 'We like it.' The moderates are saying, 'Let's do it,' and that means we're going to move forward. The only question is when."
Murphy echoed Blumenthal, saying this is the first time the two senators have been able to return to Connecticut feeling confident about the plan's passage.
The senators also vouched for the plan while at the State Capitol in Hartford Friday, stressing the fact that the investments proposed in the plan will better the lives and businesses in Connecticut.
Murphy used a single parent of two from Hartford named Selena as an example. Selena was unable to go to work because she could not find affordable child care, Murphy said.
With this package, not only would Selena be able to have affordable child care, she would also be able to return to the workforce with guaranteed access to preschool for her children and a $6,000 tax cut via the child tax credit extension, he explained.
When addressing Republicans' concerns over the package's price tag, Murphy stressed that this plan is not paid by debt or growing deficits, but by asking millionaires and corporations to pay their fair share.
"Every corporation will have to pay a minimum of 15% in corporate taxes to make sure that these huge, mega-national corporations are paying something into the treasury just like ordinary average American families are paying money into the treasury," Murphy said.
Though there is a fundamental agreement over the framework of the plan, Democrats are still looking to make some additions to strengthen it.
A cost reduction in prescription drugs is something Blumenthal said he would like back on the table next week.
"The astronomic, skyrocketing rise of prescription drug costs is unacceptable. We need to find a way to address it even more than what is in the bill right now, but I think we're on track to deal with these issues and to potentially even make it better in the week or so ahead," Blumenthal said.
Currently, the plan includes historic investments in clean energy/climate initiatives with $555 billion, child care/preschool education with $400 billion and child tax/earned income tax credits with $200 billion.
The plan also invests in health care, housing, equity efforts, workforce development and immigration.