After a meeting between Senator Rob Portman (R. Ohio) and U.S. President Joe Biden, about the proposed framework to the infrastructure bill, at Washington's White House, U.S.A, June 24, 2021, Joe Biden spoke with Portman.U.S. U.S.Last week, the president stated that he wouldn't sign the deal unless both bills were in tandem. This comment angered and shocked Republican lawmakers.Biden issued a lengthy statement Saturday addressing the backlash of Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.Portman stated that "we were all blindsided" by comments made the previous day about how these two bills were linked during an interview on ABC's "This Week."Portman stated that he was glad that they were delinked and that it is clear that we can move forward on a bipartisan bill that is broadly popular, not only among Congressmen but also the American people. Portman said that both sides have shown "good faith" throughout the negotiations.The American Families Plan (the second bill) would provide funding for Democrat-backed issues such as climate change, education, and child care. It would be passed by reconciliation, which doesn't require Republican votes.
