The business community has been trying to exert more pressure on politicians beyond traditional lobbying. Georgia voters urged businesses to get behind politicians who supported voting rights. Now, business has taken on bipartisanship. That makes sense, but what makes these recent actions noticeable is that they go beyond direct self-interest and on to the health of their communities. Of course, economic prosperity is good for businesses, too.
At issue, the National Association of Manufacturers encouraged legislators to finish President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure bill. The association was representing over 120 business and manufacturing associations sent a letter out after Republicans blocked the proposal debate Wednesday. It read:
‘As an elected leader, you have the chance to realize the promise of American economic prosperity by working with your colleagues to enact the bipartisan framework that was recently announced.’
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has already told President Biden that he has no intention of letting any laws pass in the next four years. The self-described “Grim Reaper” pulled the same nonsense during President Barack Obama’s two terms. The legislation would create jobs, support existing infrastructure, and add more categories to the law.
The $1.2 trillion law would represent major investments yet avoid additional corporate taxes. People across the country want the legislation to pass, because it deals with basic maintenance, too. Why McConnell would take that away from Republican voters is a puzzle. The letter continues:
‘Importantly, this agreement advances these historic investments without putting at risk the competitive gains achieved for American businesses through tax reform, allowing manufacturers to reinvest in their facilities, their communities and their employees.’
President Biden met with business and union leaders who support the bipartisan bill on Thursday. Some of the participants were:
‘Business Roundtable CEO Joshua Bolten, U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Suzanne Clark, Laborers’ Union President Terry O’Sullivan and National Association of Manufacturers board chair Michael Lamach.’
This group will take out newspaper ads in 14 states to encourage their Republican senators to participate in President Biden’s build-back-better bipartisanship. Supporters of the bill often clash, but even the most diverse appear to be in agreement this time from the Chamber of Commerce to the powerful AFL-CIO.
The ads say that the bipartisan improvement and expansion bill is “a down payment” on the nation’s future:
‘[The ads] make a down payment on our climate progress and engages private capital to create durable solutions to our infrastructure challenges without hampering our post-COVID recovery.’
This may simply be one of McConnell’s stalling tactics, where he draws out the good-faith negotiations then totally withdraw the GOP votes, according to the Associated Press (AP).
There is a second far more expansive infrastructure bill that considers child care and education part of our infrastructure.
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