Biden advocates for infrastructure bill in Portsmouth in latest stop in nationwide tour

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. - President Joe Biden on Monday stumped for his proposed $2 trillion infrastructure plan during a trip to Virginia, the latest stop in what his aids are calling the “Getting America Back on Track Tour.”

During his trip to the Hampton Roads area of southern Virginia, Biden and the first lady visited an elementary school to highlight some of the features of the bill that would benefit working families and school-age children.

Among those provisions is 12 weeks of paid family medical leave for working parents.

“No one should have to choose between a job and a paycheck or taking care of themselves, a parent, a spouse, or a child that’s ill,” Biden said Monday during prepared remarks.

Following his visit to the elementary school, Biden toured an HVAC facility at which he gave prepared remarks about his bill.

"It’s very exciting to have the President of the United States come to Tidewater Community College," said Harlan Krepcik, professor and Program Head for HVAC at TCC.

Krepcik said the labor pool has shrunk dramatically and the need for trade workers is immense.

"All of the trades are competing for that very small market," said Krepcik. "Unfortunately, the public views the trades for an occupation as the last choice."

The President spoke about taxes, jobs and education including his proposal to make community college free for all Americans.

"Free access to community college - that’s going to cut down on half of what they will be paying," said Senator L. Louise Lucas, (D) District 18. "I think that’s wonderful."

During those remarks, Biden said the he believes that there is "overwhelming bipartisan support” for his bill and reiterated that the bill would only be paid for by tax increases for corporations and the richest Americans.

"Anybody making less than $400,000 will not pay a single penny in taxes," Biden said.

The trip to Virginia marked Biden’s third stop on the “Getting America Back on Track” tour. Last Thursday, he traveled to Atlanta to highlight the portions of the infrastructure bill that expand health care and child care for working families.

"Health care should be a right, not a privilege," Biden told the crowd at the drive-in rally Thursday night. He talked about both plans, calling them a “blue collar blueprint” for change to move the country forward. The proposals would invest in roads, transit, education and family leave.

On Friday, Biden traveled to Philadelphia, where he celebrated the 50^th anniversary of Amtrak at the 30^th Street Train Station. There, he highlighted the bill’s proposed commuter rail expansion and the positive environmental impacts such an expansion would have.