Biden’s Relief Plan Is a Trojan Horse. And, I’m OK With That.

President Biden’s proposed $1.9 trillion Covid relief plan contains many commendable provisions, from money for speeding the vaccine rollout to aid for struggling states and cities.

That said, the measure, the American Rescue Plan, is also partly a legislative Trojan horse — an enormous aid package aimed at addressing needs that, in some cases, go well beyond the immediate challenges of Covid.

That’s generally OK by me; President Biden has wisely put helping all struggling Americans — whether their financial pain stems from the pandemic or not — at the top of his priority list.

But his administration can do so far more surgically, and with a nod toward our long-term fiscal challenges. We don’t necessarily need (at least not now) as much stimulus as he is offering. And some of the most expensive provisions are the least well targeted to help the neediest.

In proposing the expansion of other worthy programs, …

We can fairly debate appropriate phaseout levels;…

While the improvements in these tax breaks are ostensibly designed to be temporary, these kinds of one-time boosts have historically often become permanent.

As Mr. Biden’s plan slides from Covid relief to addressing longer-term inequities,…

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