President Biden declared that “America is ready for a takeoff” as he pitched a sweeping vision for greater government investment to boost the economy, including a $1.8 trillion proposal for new spending on child care, education and paid leave, the Wall Street Journal reported. Addressing a joint session of Congress for the first time as president, Biden sought to strike a hopeful tone just ahead of his 100th day in office, stressing his efforts to combat the pandemic, expand COVID-19 vaccinations — which he urged all Americans to get — and spur economic growth. Biden used the moment to sell lawmakers and the public on his economic proposals, including his new American Families Plan, as well as renew his support for a long list of Democratic priorities, including passing legislation on policing, gun control and immigration. Taken together, the Democratic president’s proposals represent an ambitious effort to redefine the government’s role in shaping the economy. Betting that government can be a driving force for growth, the White House is shifting away from long-held assumptions within both parties that the public sector is inherently less efficient than the private and that policy makers should generally defer to markets. Biden highlighted the American Families Plan, which is paid for largely by raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans, and his $2.3 trillion infrastructure package that includes new spending on bridges, roads and broadband internet. Mr. Biden cast the massive spending proposals as necessary to help the nation’s economy and workers.
