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Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure plan: what’s in for the masses?

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4 years ago

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President Joe Biden unveiled a $2 trillion economic recovery plan on Wednesday afternoon, which includes raising the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28% to help pay for a massive overhaul of America’s infrastructure.

The proposal, called the American Jobs Plan, is the first of the two economic recovery plans the administration plans to roll out in the coming weeks. Biden detailed the infrastructure overhaul on Wednesday in Pittsburgh and the second plan — the American Families Plan — sometime next month, according to the White House.

The American Jobs Plan includes:

  • $621 billion to repair and modernize bridges, roads and highways; modernize and expand public transit systems; invest in electric vehicles; improve rail systems; improve ports, waterways and airports
  • $300 billion to boost U.S. manufacturing and strengthen supply chains
  • $111 billion to ensure safe drinking water by replacing lead pipes and services lines and updating water infrastructure
  • $100 billion to expand high-speed broadband access
  • $100 billion to build a more resilient electric grid
  • $213 billion to produce, preserve and retrofit more than 2 million “affordable and sustainable” homes to address the nation’s affordable housing shortage
  • $100 billion to build and upgrade public schools
  • $180 billion for research & development and technologies of the future
  • $100 billion for workforce development programs

The Biden administration also incorporates measures to fight climate change through clean energy and address racial equity through jobs, transportation and housing.

“This is not a plan that tinkers around the edges,” said Biden in Pittsburgh.

Biden calls for a $174 billion investment in the electric vehicle space — including rebates and tax incentives that would encourage Americans to buy electric vehicles, grant and incentives programs to build 500,000 electric vehicle chargers by 2030, and electrifying the federal vehicle fleet.

The administration says the plan will create “millions and millions” of jobs, though it has not yet provided an exact estimate.

In order to pay for the plan, Biden wants to hike the corporate tax rate to 28% — undoing a key part of Republicans’ 2017 tax cuts. He’s introducing the Made in America Tax Plan alongside the American Jobs Plan. The tax plan aims to increase the global minimum tax for U.S. multinational corporations, to make sure they pay at least 21%. It also includes measures designed to prevent companies from offshoring jobs and moving profits to tax havens.

Paying for the plan by fixing a ‘broken’ tax system

A senior administration official told reporters on Tuesday night the $2 trillion would be spent over the course of eight years, and the tax changes would fund the plan over 15 years.

The official said the “broken” tax system is currently “providing greater incentive to evade the U.S. tax system and to locate production overseas.” The White House argues the changes will make the U.S. more competitive and encourage domestic production in the United States.

“It’s time to build our economy from the bottom up and from the middle out — not the top down,” said Biden.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D., Oreg.), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said he and Biden are “rowing in the same direction…by ensuring mega-corporations pay their fair share and overhauling Republicans’ 2017 international tax provisions.” In a statement, Wyden said he would introduce his own plan to overhaul international taxation next week.

Progressives, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.), argue the plan is not enough. Ocasio-Cortez said in a tweet that the plan needed to be “way bigger.”

Meanwhile, Republicans have bashed the idea of raising taxes on corporations to cover the cost of an infrastructure plan.

The Business Roundtable — made up of CEOs of the nation’s biggest companies — urged Congress to pass a bipartisan infrastructure plan and reject a corporate tax hike.

“Business Roundtable has long supported user fee models, which includes business paying its share, to provide sustainable support for infrastructure investment,” said Business Roundtable CEO Joshua Bolten in a statement. “Business Roundtable strongly opposes corporate tax increases as a pay-for for infrastructure investment. Policymakers should avoid creating new barriers to job creation and economic growth, particularly during the recovery.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce described the plan to pay for the infrastructure package with tax increases as “dangerously misguided.”

“Properly done, a major investment in infrastructure today is an investment in the future, and like a new home, should be paid for over time — say 30 years — by the users who benefit from the investment,” said Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer for the U.S. Chamber. “We strongly oppose the general tax increases proposed by the administration which will slow the economic recovery and make the U.S. less competitive globally — the exact opposite of the goals of the infrastructure plan.”

The White House said it has already begun “extensive outreach” to Republican and Democratic members of Congress.

“I don’t think you’ll find a Republican today in the House or Senate…who doesn’t think we have to improve our infrastructure,” said Biden. “I’ll have a good faith negotiation with any Republican who wants to get this done, but we have to get this done.”

A senior administration official would not say if the administration would push to use the reconciliation process to pass the package without Republican support.

_____

Culled from Yahoo Finance

Author Jessica Smith is chief political correspondent for Yahoo Finance, based in Washington, D.C. Follow her on Twitter at @JessicaASmith8.

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Omambala Association in Houston Celebrates Motherhood with Joyous Mother’s Day Event

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2 days ago

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May 11, 2025

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HOUSTON, TEXAS – May 5, 2025 — The Omambala Cultural Association in Houston hosted a vibrant and heartfelt Mother’s Day celebration on Sunday evening at the Igbo Catholic Community Hall on Creekbend. The event brought together families and community members to honor the enduring strength, love, and sacrifices of mothers within the Igbo community.

Led by the association’s president, Ichelle Awkuzu, the Isaaka of Igboland, the gathering featured prayers, cultural music, dance, and speeches dedicated to celebrating motherhood. Awkuzu described the event as a moment of reflection and appreciation for mothers, emphasizing their central role in shaping families and preserving cultural values.

The association’s president, Ichelle Awkuzu, the Isaaka of Igboland, addressing the group.

 

Celebrants celebrate at the Omambala Cultural Association’s Mother’s Day celebration on Sunday evening at the Igbo Catholic Community Hall in Houston.

 

Celebrants

“Mothers are the heartbeat of our homes and the foundation of our culture,” Awkuzu said, urging attendees to honor and support mothers every day, not just on special occasions.

The celebration included lively performances of traditional Igbo music and dance, homemade meals prepared by members, and the presentation of thoughtful gifts to each mother in attendance. Vice President Chief Ugochukwu Chukwuka, known as Omemma Igbo, also delivered remarks, recognizing the vital role of mothers in nurturing future generations.

Photo from left_ Vice President of the group, Chief Ugochukwu Chukwuka – Omemma Igbo, and the President, Ichelle Awkuzu, the Isaaka of Igboland.

The evening was filled with laughter, music, and shared memories, reinforcing the communal spirit that defines the Omambala Cultural Association. Elders and youth alike participated in storytelling sessions and interactive cultural activities, creating a multigenerational experience that underscored the importance of preserving Igbo heritage. Several attendees expressed appreciation for the sense of belonging and cultural pride the event fostered.

The Omambala Cultural Association Inc. is a community-based organization representing people from the Old Anambra Local Government Area in Anambra State, Nigeria. It remains committed to promoting cultural education, unity, and socio-economic development for Igbo people in the diaspora and beyond.

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Global Entrepreneur, Dr. Emeka Agwu Pushes for Unity and Cross-Border Environmental Solutions

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3 days ago

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May 10, 2025

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Dr. Emeka Agwu, Director of the EndHunger Initiatives and Global Voice Foundation for Community Development, has issued a powerful call to action, emphasizing the urgent need for unified, global efforts to address the rapidly worsening environmental crisis. In his remarks, Dr. Agwu highlighted that the world is experiencing an unprecedented ecological emergency marked by rising temperatures, increasing pollution, loss of biodiversity, and a surge in environment-related diseases—all contributing to high mortality rates and global instability.

Dr Emeka Agwu is being honored with a presentation at the prestigious Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, on April 23, 2025

According to Dr. Agwu, a multi-dimensional strategy is essential to effectively respond to these challenges. First, he called for stronger international cooperation, noting that global problems require global solutions. Second, he stressed the importance of fostering innovation in environmental protection technologies, enhancing energy efficiency, and overhauling environmental governance systems. Third, he advocated for the development of comprehensive policies and standards to guide the global transition to clean energy and ensure stringent control over carbon emissions.

Pastor Emeka Agwu with the Nigerian Ambassador to Beijing, and the Secretary of the organizing committee.

Furthermore, Dr. Agwu underscored the necessity of building a global green economy through collective efforts by governments, the private sector, civil society, and the general public. He emphasized that environmental awareness must be integrated into education systems, and that public campaigns and corporate accountability must be elevated to drive sustainable change.

With Professor Peter. Dr Emeka Agwu, also with other investors seeking collaboration for Chinese and Nigerian youths on innovative technology and AI with the New Chinese Youth Minister.

He also commended the recent establishment of the China-Nigeria Economic Coordination Center Office (CNCC), describing it as a pivotal step toward deepening bilateral collaboration in innovation and technology transfer. Dr. Agwu believes the CNCC will play a crucial role in enabling both nations to jointly develop adaptive strategies for climate resilience and sustainable development.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Agwu reminded stakeholders that the environmental crisis transcends national borders and ideological divides. “We are at a defining moment,” he said. “This is not just about protecting nature—it’s about safeguarding the future of humanity. The choices we make today will determine the world we leave behind for future generations.”

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Nigerians on medical death row: Muna, another victim of a failed system

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2 weeks ago

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April 27, 2025

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On 25 November 2012, my late pregnant sister, Ijeoma, was rushed by her husband to a hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, but the doctors and nurses at the hospital callously and insensitively refused to attend to her without initial payment. They had demanded N20,000 (about €150 then) as precondition before they could attend to her. Her husband begged them to commence treatment and that he would go home to get money since the only money with him – N5,000 – had been spent on other procedures, including registration, as required by the hospital. He told them that the nature of the emergency made him even forget to put on his shoes. They vehemently refused the plea.

Everyone around noticed – especially women that had gone through child bearing – that death was knocking on my sister’s door. As her pain was increasing, people advised that she should be rushed to another hospital. Her husband drove her out in his car in search of a hospital. But unfortunately my sister did not make it. She painfully died in that pregnancy.

About 14 years after, the same system again has failed us. This time, it has consumed my young intelligent and promising nephew, Muna. His life was cruelly and mercilessly snuffed out by a corrupt failed system. It is so heartbreaking and disheartening because the closer we had thought we were in saving his life the more the failed structure had made it difficult and fastened his death. 

Munachimso shortly called Muna was diagnosed with leukemia and everything happened so fast. He went to hospitals in Imo, Rivers and finally in Abuja where he died.

When he was taken to the first hospital in Abuja, we had hope because they were able to stabilize him. After a short period, he was no longer depending on oxygen and started eating and playing with toys. All results carried out showed tremendous response and improvements, but the bills were rapidly increasing like thunder lightening. Within two weeks we had a deficit of more than 60 million naira and that was when the problem started. The hospital threatened to discharge Muna if we would not pay. We pleaded with them to be patient, continue his treatment and give us some time to pay the money. We went public seeking for financial help. Two days into this process Muna was forcefully discharged. He was taken to another hospital that had lesser equipment to save his life. There, his health situation again started to degenerate. 

With the help of the public, we the family members made arrangement to go back to this hospital where he was forcefully discharged. But it was not easy getting back. We made calls and chatted with some people in this regard for intervention so that Muna could be readmitted. We were still in this process and ready to agree on any term given by the management of the hospital so that he could be taken back when the worst news came. Muna was pronounced dead. It is devastating and my heart aches, for Muna’s death was preventable.

Who knows how many Nigerians have died like Muna? How many are currently on death row in various hospitals with death certificates already stamped, waiting to be issued? How long shall ordinary citizens continue to suffer and lament over government representatives’ low performances and uncaring attitude? With all Nigeria has got, why are the people in this state of despair? Who do we blame for Muna’s death? The hospital management that chased him away because of money or the government that failed to create a working healthcare system for all?

In all sincerity, while it is true that norms of medical ethics should at all times be observed, private hospitals are equally doing business too and must be sustained. They are not charity organizations. The problem is the government, its harsh policies and its lack of proper implementation. The Nigerian system in almost everything is only theoretically functional, but practically not existent because the system is corruptly structured. Nothing owned or operated by the government runs justly and smoothly, from schools to hospitals and courts etc. Muna’s death was avoidable but the system made sure that he did not survive. We are so deeply pained and so sad that we lost him. 

Hardly one finds government officials’ children in public schools. So, why should one be proud of a country where the minister of education cannot proudly send his/her own children to a public school preferring private schools or sending them abroad, or the minister of health cannot go to a public hospital for treatment when sick because of its poor standard? Why the deceit?

Why this high level of hypocrisy and compromise? Why do Nigerians condone such arrant nonsense? These are some of the reasons lecturers could go on strike for months and government officials care less to resolve the issue and why Nigerian government hospitals are substandard. Why should they care when their children are in well-equipped expensive schools/hospitals abroad? This is shameful and despicable. And we will all continue to lament until it becomes a law that no minister of education is allowed to send his/her children to a private school in Nigeria or to study abroad, and likewise no minister of health and his/her children are allowed to go abroad for medical treatment except in a few specified cases – including the children of every Nigerian president, lawmaker, and governor. This will revolutionize our schools and health sector to acceptable standards. Until then, Nigeria failed Muna and people like him. 

Yes, the 11-year-old boy was just a casualty of a failed system – a victim of the effect of corruption, nepotism, mismanagement and incompetence. Who will be the next victim? Does anyone know the nature, when and where? 

Good night Muna, and may your innocent soul rest in peace.

♦ Uzoma Ahamefule, a refined African traditionalist and a patriotic citizen writes from Vienna, Austria. WhatsApp: +436607369050; Email Contact Uzoma >>>>

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