Analysis: The fight to define infrastructure could change America

In one example, the President has stretched the definition of infrastructure to insert $400 billion in the bill to revolutionize home health care for the elderly and disabled.

And, after a year in which millions of workers relied on home internet connections to work remotely, the plan also includes $100 billion to build a high-speed broadband infrastructure that would reach the whole country.

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Biden and his Cabinet members argue that infrastructure undergirds every pillar of American life, from education to energy, and health care to manufacturing and that the need for investment is gargantuan.

After all, one person's infrastructure plan is another's left-wing power grab.

In the crucial early exchanges that can define a bill of this size, Republicans sense a chance to portray Biden's second massive political gamble, following the passage of a $1.9 trillion Covid rescue bill, as the act of tax hiking "socialists" -- a message they hope to ride to the recapture of Congress in midterm elections in November 2022.

In red states at least, infrastructure is still what it's always been.

"When people think about infrastructure, they're thinking about roads, bridges, ports and airports," Missouri GOP Sen.

But as he arrived back from Camp David Monday, the President gave a clear signal that he understands the early debate to define the infrastructure bill could be critical.

"It's kind of interesting that when the Republicans put forward an infrastructure plan, they thought everything from broadband to dealing to other things was ...

It overhauls leaden water pipes and upgrades airports and ports where delays cost the economy billions in lost productivity.

A modern interpretation of the term "infrastructure" might also admit the billions the President proposes to spend on making broadband universal for the entire nation -- a step that will boost the economy, especially in rural areas.

But a sticking point for critics of the bill is the $400 billion that Biden plans to splash on home and community health care that would overhaul social care in the United States.

"We absolutely do need to update our understanding of infrastructure," said Ai-jen Poo, executive director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance.

"Infrastructure at its core is that which enables commerce and economic activity.

If you think about it -- even the people who are building bridges and tunnels need care -- for their kids, for their aging parents."

The alliance says home health care is becoming even more of an economic necessity as the aging of the Baby Boomer generation risks creating an economic drag that better care could counter by allowing more younger family caregivers to stay in the workforce.