US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi praised the victory of her Democrats in controlling the chamber for another two years
US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi praised the victory of her Democrats in controlling the chamber for another two years POOL / J. Scott Applewhite

Moderate Democrats appear reluctant to support House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s bold infrastructure strategy, according to reports. Pelosi has said she will not allow the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill to come to a vote in the House unless a $6 trillion bill passes the Senate via reconciliation.

The $6 trillion infrastructure deal progressives have sought includes investing in child care, education, combating climate change, and raising corporate taxes. The Senate plans to vote on both bills next week.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer says he will start with the bipartisan plan, then he will move forward on a budget resolution to pass the bolder package.

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, a minimum of $4.6 trillion will be required to update the country’s current infrastructure.

Some moderate Democrats have been wary of Pelosi’s strategy to address U.S., infrastructure which has received a grade of C- from Infrastructure Report Card.

“I do have concerns. I think that a bill that can actually pass Congress and get to the president’s desk, I want to pass that, I want to strike while the iron is hot,” said Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii.

Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., said, “I think it would be incredibly disappointing if there was a bill from the Senate, waiting for our action, and we chose to delay it arbitrarily.”

Spanberger added she wants to see the Senate pass a bipartisan bill that will immediately impact our communities and bring jobs to Americans as quickly as possible.

Rep. Paramila Jayapal, D-Wash., defended House Speaker Pelosi’s strategy warning progressives might not vote for a bipartisan deal unless a reconciliation package is being offered.

“We have an agenda we have to accomplish, and linking the two bills is the only way we can accomplish it,” Jayapal said.

Pelosi’s allies and Democratic leaders argue strategy will work and the two bills are both on the same track, they will take months to sort out and will likely pass in September.

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