U.S. Rep. Angie Craig on Tuesday would not say if she would support President Joe Biden if he runs for a second term in 2024 and urged a “new generation” of Democratic leadership.
Craig was referring to her colleague, 3rd District Rep. Dean Phillips, a Democrat who made national news last week by telling WCCO radio that he wouldn’t support Biden in 2024.
“I think the country would be well-served by a new generation of compelling, well-prepared, dynamic Democrats who step up,” Phillips said.
Craig said it was Biden’s decision whether or not to run. But when asked if she would support Biden if he did run, Craig said: “I would say we need new leaders in Washington up and down the ballot in the Democratic Party.”
In the interview, Craig praised many major elements of the new spending deal struck by Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to pump about $370 billion into energy and efforts to address climate change, raise taxes on corporations, allow the federal government to negotiate drug prices for people on Medicare, reduce the budget deficit and more.
Republicans have attacked the deal as more spending and tax increases while the economy may be in a recession and amid inflation. Craig said she wants to see the final bill, but said the framework was “fiscally responsible” and said “the idea that we’re gonna ask billion dollar companies to pay a minimum 15 percent tax, that’s just good policy.”
“I think what we have to start with is this is gonna reduce the deficit by $300 billion or so,” Craig said. She added the bill had provisions aimed at helping farmers, including an extension of a biodiesel tax credit and money to expand biofuels infrastructure.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify that Craig has not yet endorsed the Manchin-Schumer spending plan but supports several key provisions.