President Biden To Deliver Remarks And Sign Bill To Avert Rail Strike

10:15 ET 15:15 GMT: President Biden will sign legislation passed by Congress this week to codify a tentative agreement between the Biden administration and rail unions to increase union pay and avert a rail strike. Livestream: https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

• Biden said in a statement yesterday: “Congress’ decisive action ensures that we will avoid the impending, devastating economic consequences for workers, families, and communities across the country."
• At a presser w/French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday, Biden refused to be drawn on whether the legislation contradicts his pro-union stance.
• Biden: "I know that many in Congress shared my reluctance to override the union ratification procedures. But in this case, the consequences of a shutdown were just too great..."
• Biden is facing discontent amongst progressive Democrat lawmakers, many of whom voted against the measure because it excluded an increase in paid sick leave.
• Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), one of six Democrat Senators who voted against the bill said: “My point here is that forcing people to have no sick time and you fire them if they don’t show up is like an 18th century French coal mine. It’s an absolutely outrageous way to treat your workers.”