WH concedes tax hikes may be struck from ‘human infrastructure’ package amid Sinema opposition

The White House conceded Wednesday that raising taxes on corporations, the wealthy and capital gains may be off the table for the massive social spending bill, as Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) came out against raising rates — sending Democrats scrambling to find new ways to pay for their massive social spending plan.

“There is an expansive menu of options for how to finance the president’s plan to ensure our economy delivers for hardworking families, and none of them are off the table,” White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said.

Sinema and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) have previously expressed opposition to the proposed $3.5 trillion in spending laid out in a budget resolution passed by Congress in August. However, while Manchin has been vocal about his issues with the legislation, Sinema has kept publicly silent about her gripes as she negotiates directly with President Biden about what stays in the bill and what is left out.