The bill would provide an enormous federal injection for a variety of public works programs including roads and bridges, broadband internet access, drinking water, and many more. Rarely, Republicans joined with Democrats to surpass the 60 votes threshold to move the measure to final votes. It was approved by 67 votes to 27, a strong vote. The bill would be sent to the House if it is approved.
However, momentum was slowing down as opponents refused to give up 30 hours of debate before the next procedural vote. This could have delayed swift passage of the package or resulted in a long, tedious slog.
As the Senate opened on Saturday, Chuck Schumer, D.N.Y., Senate Majority Leader, stated that “We can get it done the easy or the difficult way.”
Senators will meet for the second consecutive weekend to discuss the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This is the first of Biden’s two infrastructure packages. After voting is over, senators will immediately move to the next item on Biden’s agenda: the budget outline for $3.5 trillion of child care, eldercare, and other programs. This is a more partisan endeavor and will likely draw only Democratic support.
Schumer has pledged to keep senators in session jusqu’à the completion of the bipartisan bill, and the first votes on the next major package.
Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States, arrived at Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers on bipartisan legislation. Biden stated that the legislation was an “historical investment” comparable to the construction of the transcontinental railroad and interstate highway systems.
The 60-vote hurdle was overcome as a sign that the fragile alliance between Republicans, Democrats and the public works package could be sustained. At least 10 Republicans had to join all Democrats to advance the measure past a filibuster — and in the end 18 Republican senators voted to advance the package.
Senator McConnell, a Kentucky Republican leader, has allowed the bill’s progress to date. His vote of “yes” was closely monitored. He said, “This is a compromise,” before the vote.
Some Republican senators are trying to delay the back-to–back voting schedule, in an effort to slow down or stop what appears to be a forward march of Democrats to reach the president’s infrastructure goals.
Senator Bill Hagerty (Republican from Tennessee), an ally to Donald Trump and former ambassador to Japan was one of those leading the effort to get the Senate to spend as much time as necessary to debate and amend this bill.
Hagerty stated that there is no need to hurry during Saturday’s floor speech.
The past week has seen senators process nearly two dozen amendments for the 2,700-page package. However, none of these amendments has significantly changed the framework of this public works package. Some senators insist on additional amendments, including one on cryptocurrency. They also support a long-shot defense hawks effort to increase $50 billion for shipbuilding and defense-related infrastructure.
Senator John Cornyn (Republican from Texas), has an amendment that would allow him to repurpose some of the COVID-19 relief assistance that was sent to the states. He is one of those trying to speed up the process.
Congress is under pressure to make gains on the president’s infrastructure priorities — first with the bipartisan bill and then with Democrats’ more sweeping $3.5 trillion budget blueprint they plan to shoulder on their own.
Senators who have spent months slogging through the debate process — and months of giving-and-taking negotiations — this bill gives them a chance to not only send federal dollars to their states but also to show that Congress can come together to solve problems in a bipartisan manner.
Senator Lisa Murkowski (Republican from Alaska) said that the needs of her state were evident. She mentioned money for water systems for remote villages, which would be used to wash hands during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a negotiator, she wants to show that legislators can come together.
She stated, “I am really concerned that everyone believes we are as dysfunctional as it appears to be.” “The Senate requires some evidenced acts of bipartisanship.”
The bill has been well received by senators. It is not perfect for liberals who consider it too small or conservatives who consider it too big. It would allow federal money to be used for projects that many cities and states could not afford.
Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) stated that “America hasn’t seen this kind of infrastructure investment for 30 years.”
Trump made a statement Saturday criticizing Biden, Senators of both Parties and the bill, although it isn’t clear if Trump’s views are more influential than those of the legislators.
The Congressional Budget Office’s analysis of the bill raised concerns, especially from Republicans. It concluded that the legislation would increase deficits by about $256 billion over the next decade.
Backers of the bill argued that the budget bureau was not able to account for certain revenue streams, including future economic growth. The budget office released additional analysis Saturday that suggested infrastructure spending could increase productivity overall and lower the final costs.
After Democrats opposed an increase in gas tax at the pump, and Republicans resisting a plan to boost the IRS to pursue tax scofflaws, the payment for the package was a key point during months of negotiations.
Biden’s larger package of $3.5 trillion, which would have been paid for by higher corporate tax rates and the wealthy, is not funded by the bipartisan package. Instead, it is funded by repurposing existing money, including untapped COVID-19 assistance and other spending cuts.
The House is currently in recess, and will likely consider both Biden infrastructure package when it returns to September.
