Schumer Says He Has Votes To Move Forward With $3.5 Trillion Infrastructure Bill
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday that he has all 50 Senate Democrats on board to move forward with the $3.5 trillion infrastructure reconciliation process.
The bill is set to include a number of top priorities such as expanding Medicare to include dental, vision, and hearing, funding childcare, healthcare, education, and combating climate change.
Schumer’s comments come after the Senate voted to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill that passed 67-32 on Wednesday, carrying 17 Republican votes.
Schumer has been committed to passing both bills before the August recess. The reconciliation bill will require the support of all 50 Democrats, plus Vice President Kamla Harris’ tie-breaking vote in order to pass.
“We will move forward on both tracks, I’m proud of my Democratic caucus, every one of them voting yesterday for this bill and all pledging to go forward on the second track as well,” Schumer said.
“In order to pass the reconciliation bill, the Senate must pass a budget resolution first, and we are on track for that as well."
Schumer and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. agreed on a $3.5 trillion price tag earlier this month.
“As I understand it, next week we are going to have 50 votes in order to pass a $3.5 trillion budget resolution,” Sanders said.
Some Republicans have expressed their opposition to the ambitious plan, calling it a “reckless tax and spending spree.”
Some moderate Democrats have not yet committed to supporting the bill despite supporting the budget resolution to get things started.
Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., said he will vote to begin the debate. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said he supports moving forward with the process and is open to the details. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., said she does not support the price tag but does support the process.
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