Biden to spend $200 billion to provide free early childhood education for 3-4 year olds

In an address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday (April 28), President Joe Biden will detail a proposed $200 billion universal preschool program that proposes to provide free preschool for 5 million children ages 3 to 4. Republicans say what is spent far outweighs its economic benefits.

The plan calls for a partnership between the federal and state governments to provide free preschool for all children ages 3-4, saving families an average of $13,000 a year in related costs, FoxNews.com reported.

The program is the second phase of a $1.8 trillion government infrastructure and spending plan. The initial phase, known as the American Jobs Plan, is expected to cost $2.2 trillion. The plan would invest in physical infrastructure, job training and care for America’s elderly and disabled. The cumulative price tag of the Biden administration’s proposal is expected to exceed $4 trillion.

The Biden administration believes that investment in preschool programs will boost the economy by allowing more parents to enter the workforce. But federal employees participating in the program would receive job training and a guaranteed wage of $15 per hour.

Republicans argue that Biden’s cost outlay for this program will offset jobs, slow economic growth and have no investment in much-needed physical facilities. And a previous report noted that the U.S. national debt has reached $123 trillion, with an average burden of $800,000 per person. And how do you pay it back when you spend money like that?

For funding, Biden has proposed an overhaul of the corporate tax code, including raising the corporate tax rate from 21 percent to 28 percent. The administration would also seek to raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans. And the Biden administration explained that currently that’s only for people earning more than $400,000 a year.

With virtually no Republican support for Biden’s jobs plan in the Senate, Democratic lawmakers face a tough road to secure the 60 votes needed to bypass lengthy debate, media analysis shows.