Democrats Still Pushing For $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Bill As Senate Mulls Vote
President Joe Biden’s bipartisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure plan failed a Senate test vote Wednesday but new efforts are expected as early as Monday. Infrastructure is a key bipartisan objective, as both Biden and Donald Trump sought trillion-dollar plans during the 2020 campaign.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has been working to pass the bipartisan plan and the Democrats' reconciliation package that is worth $3.5 trillion that aims to expand Medicare, address childcare, healthcare, and combat climate change.
One of America’s leading economists predicts that infrastructure legislation will:
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) July 22, 2021
Reduce income inequality
Strengthen the middle class and those trying to get there
Create long-term economic growth
The Senate will keep working for bold action on our nation’s infrastructure.
“My colleagues on both sides should be assured: as majority leader, I have every intention of passing both major infrastructure packages--the bipartisan infrastructure framework and a budget resolution with reconciliation instructions before we leave for the August recess,” Schumer said.
The two bills remain Biden’s top legislative priority as he considers them to be vital in boosting the country’s economy. Despite the minor setbacks, Biden still believes the bipartisan bill will pass the Senate.
“It’s a good thing, and I think we are going to get it done,” Biden said during a CNN town hall.
Despite a failed test vote, a bipartisan group of 22 senators said that they have "made significant progress and are close to a final agreement" on the infrastructure package. https://t.co/nK4oF1PdCP
— NPR Politics (@nprpolitics) July 22, 2021
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said she will not let either bill come to a vote in the House unless they both pass the Senate.
With a deadlocked Senate a minimum of 10 Republicans will be needed to approve the bill in order for it to pass.
Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, who had previously tried to delay the vote over concerns of how the bill will be paid for says “we’ll be ready to go” with the bipartisan plan on Monday.
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