U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to pitch two new spending plans during his first address to a joint session of Congress Thursday. His proposed $4 trillion spending plan will add to his previously signed $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, which gave direct checks to Americans affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Biden will be pitching spending plans focused on child care, family and education - namely the American Families Plan and the American Jobs Plan.
Biden is expected to address Congress at 9:00 a.m. GMT+8 Thursday on the eve of his 100th day in office. He will be accompanied by Vice-President Kamala Harris and House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi. It will be the first time two women will sit behind the president during a speech to Congress.
Ahead of his speech, Biden is scheduled to meet with congressional staff members who were trapped during the recent capitol riots. Officials said they will be deploying hundreds of National Guard troops and police officers to the U.S. Capitol to prevent riots from happening.
Guests during the event will be limited due to virus-prevention protocols. The event, which usually has around 1,600 guests in attendance, will only have around 200 people in attendance.
Biden's upcoming speech will be followed by the traditional rebuttal speech from the opposing party, which will be led by South Carolina Republican Senator Tim Scott.
Biden will reportedly be attempting to gain support for the two massive packages during his speech. The White House previously said the two proposals would be "fully paid for" by an increase in taxes on the richest corporations and individuals throughout the country.
The $1.8 trillion American Families Plan is meant to provide free pre-schools for American children aged three to four and free community colleges for all. It is also meant to financially support paid family leaves.
The $2.3 trillion American Jobs Plan - billed as an infrastructure package - aims to increase investments in public transit, water pipes, internet, bridges, hospitals, and other public facilities.
The White House said Wednesday that the two packages would be funding by doubling the capital gains tax rate on people with incomes of above $1 million. The Biden administration also plans to hike the top income tax bracket for household earnings of more than $400,000 to the same level.
