Biden: ‘Very Optimistic’ on Approval for Social Safety Net Spending Plan

U.S. President Joe Biden said Monday he is “very optimistic” on completing a deal this week on his pared-down social safety net spending plan, an assessment echoed by one of the centrist Democratic lawmakers who has been holding back on his support.  Biden told reporters in Delaware that his Sunday meeting with West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, who has sought sharp cuts in Biden’s original $3.5 trillion package, “went well.”  They discussed final details in the package that could be trimmed to about half that amount, with Manchin insisting on a $1.5 trillion figure.  “A few more things to workmore