| President Biden on Wednesday appeared on Capitol Hill in an attempt to rally Senate Democrats behind his push to pass a multi-trillion-dollar spending plan aimed at infrastructure, climate change and health care that requires unanimous support from all 50 members. Biden’s visit marked his first before the entire Senate Democratic Caucus, with the goal to preach unity as he and Democratic leaders plow forward on a $3.5 trillion reconciliation package and a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure framework, with the hope of action next week. “We’re going to get this done,” Biden told reporters as he walked through corridors that had been part of his Senate home base for 36 years (The Hill). Alexander Bolton, The Hill: Democrats confident their plans are coming together. The Associated Press: Biden pitches huge budget, predicts Democrats will “get a lot done.” Multiple Senate Democrats told reporters following the presidential pep rally that Biden’s message was positive and upbeat behind the two packages as they look to retain the support of a crucial group of centrist members. For now, that seems to be the case as those members have continued to keep their powder dry. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), the most vocal critic within the conference of a potential $3 trillion-plus package, told reporters that he is “open” to supporting the $3.5 trillion framework, but indicated that he still wants to see how it’s paid for (The Hill). “They've worked hard on it. We want to see it, and...I've been very clear that I want to see the pay-fors,” Manchin said. When asked if the price tag is too high for his taste, he responded, “Depends on how you pay for it.” “No comments,” Manchin told reporters regarding how he plans to vote on a budget resolution procedural vote. “Let’s see what unfolds.” Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), another centrist member, said he will vote on the motion to proceed to the bill shortly after labeling the $3.5 trillion price point a “shit-pile of dough (The Hill). “The price tag is a lot of money but it doesn’t scare me, it’s just how it’s being spent. There are plenty of needs out there, we just have to figure out how it’s being spent,” Tester said. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) is the other centrist to watch. She plans to review it based on what’s best for Arizona rather than the potential $3.5 trillion figure, according to her staff. The Wall Street Journal: Centrist Democrats take wait-and-see stance on $3.5 Trillion plan. 
© Getty Images As The Hill’s Brett Samuels writes, the proposed deal would cover the cost of the package through tax reforms to the corporate and international tax codes, as well as through more intensive enforcement. The administration has maintained that individuals earning less than $400,000 annually would not face any tax increases. The coming legislation would implement a tax on imports from nations that do not abide by aggressive climate change policies (The New York Times). Upshot: Democrats’ optimism on Wednesday overrode the gauzy details about the $3.5 trillion budget plan. The road to potential enactment is long and unpredictable. Naomi Jagoda, The Hill: What we know so far about the $3.5 trillion budget deal. The Wall Street Journal: What’s in Democrats’ $3.5 trillion budget plan — and how they plan to pay for it. The Hill: Manchin raises concerns over inflation, climate agenda at Biden lunch. The Hill: Manchin signals support for immigration in budget deal. While Wednesday was a big day, it was equally as important for Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who is commanding the effort to pass the gargantuan reconciliation package and the bipartisan infrastructure blueprint along parallel tracks. As The Hill’s Jordain Carney writes, the push represents the biggest test of Schumer’s tenure ahead of the 2022 midterm elections to keep everyone under the same tent and not let anyone escape and derail the process. While the centrists remain question marks, Biden and Schumer seem to have nailed down the progressive wing behind the bill. Outside of the support from Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) told reporters that the $3.5 trillion figure is “a good start.” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) added that the package is a “strong step forward” (HuffPost). Jonathan Allen, NBC News: Bernie Sanders lost the presidency. But he's shaping the agenda. Axios: The infrastructure drug deal. The Wall Street Journal editorial board: The Sanders Democrats go for broke. Amie Parnes, The Hill: Biden shifts from Obama when it comes to Senate. Across the aisle, Republicans unsurprisingly panned the reconciliation effort as too expensive and unnecessary, especially one day after the new consumer price index showed that inflation is at its highest level in more than a decade. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told reporters that the budget resolution price is “wildly out of proportion to what the country needs now,” adding that inflation is “raging” (The Hill). The reconciliation bill’s price tag also has Republicans questioning whether it could have a negative impact on the bipartisan infrastructure framework. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the No. 2 Senate Republican, said that the burgeoning bill could “put downward pressure on Republican votes” for the $1.2 trillion infrastructure effort. “I don't think it helps. We have members who truly do want to get an infrastructure bill,” Thune said (The Hill). Politico: Pigs fly: McConnell weighs giving Biden a bipartisan win. 
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