That is the figure, the president of the United States.

The American Families Plan, $1.8 trillion.

The American Jobs Plan, $2.5 trillion.

The American Rescue Plan, already signed into law, that was $1.9 trillion.

Now, any one of these on their own would rank among the biggest legislative proposals ever adopted by Congress.

All three packages have been proposed by President Joe Biden in his first 100 days.

Throughout our history, we think about it.

Public investment and infrastructure has literally transformed America.

In the President's sales pitch for that investment during his address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday,

he invoked the space race, public schools, the Transcontinental Railroad, the Interstate, and the Internet.

These are investments we made together as one country.

An investment that only the government was in a position to make.

That's what the President's spending proposals boiled down to.

Investments in infrastructure and an expanded social safety net that are so big, only the government could make them.

So, yes, there is a role for government.

Susan Rice directs the White House Domestic Policy Council.

In supporting new search and development, in supporting job creation, in helping us transform into an economy that defeats climate change and creates thousands and millions of new jobs.

Consider this. That plan, if enacted, would represent an historic expansion in the role of government in American life.

And Joe Biden may have a unique opportunity as a President to get it done.

From NPR, I'm Audie Cornish. It's Thursday, April 29th.

This message comes from NPR's sponsor, Satva, the comfort company.

Satva luxury mattresses are sold online and priced at about 50% less than mattress stores.

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