• WBST 92.1 FMMuncie
  • WBSB 89.5 FMAnderson
  • WBSW 90.9 FMMarion
  • WBSH 91.1 FMHagerstown / New Castle
Indiana Public Radio, a listener-supported service of Ball State University
Listen Live Online. Tap to open audio stream.

U.S. Sen. Young Sees Common Ground On Agenda After Biden Address To Congress

By Brandon Smith, IPB News | Published on in Government, Politics
U.S. Rep. André Carson (D-Indianapolis), left, is a strong backer of President Joe Biden's agenda. U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), right, said there are some areas of agreement. (Congress.gov)
U.S. Rep. André Carson (D-Indianapolis), left, is a strong backer of President Joe Biden's agenda. U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), right, said there are some areas of agreement. (Congress.gov)

President Joe Biden focused his first address to Congress on pitching his two latest policy proposals: the American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan.

Biden’s proposals would spend trillions of dollars on child care, pre-K, infrastructure and much more. U.S. Rep. André Carson (D-Indianapolis) called them “a job creator.”

“As cars and vehicles are getting smarter, our roads have to get smarter,” Carson said. “So, this infrastructure bill is not only going to do a lot of Indiana, it’s going to do a lot for our country.”

READ MORE: How Will Indiana Distribute COVID-19 Vaccines? Here’s What You Need To Know

Join the conversation and sign up for the Indiana Two-Way. Text “Indiana” to 73224. Your comments and questions in response to our weekly text help us find the answers you need on COVID-19 and other statewide issues.

U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) wants to focus on what he calls “traditional” infrastructure: transportation, energy and internet. And he said paying for it can use dollars that have already gone out.

“There’s a lot of money that’s gone out the door at the state and local level for COVID purposes that hasn’t been needed,” Young said. “And so, we should allow states and localities to offer that up as matching money to help fund much of this infrastructure.”

Young said he also wants to see better enforcement of the existing federal tax code as a way to generate more revenue.

Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.