(UPDATED) Habemus Senate Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal

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Do you believe in miracles?

A group of Democratic and Republican Senators (including Arizona’s Kyrsten Sinema) has concluded a bipartisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure deal that would provide much-needed funding to the nation’s roads, bridges, railways, waterways, airports, and broadband.

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Eureka!

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said earlier today (July 28, 2021) that a vote to advance the bill could come later this evening.

President Joe Biden has reportedly conveyed to Senator Sinema, whom he discussed the infrastructure package with yesterday as “excited.”

On the package, the senior Arizona Senator, who was also the leading Democratic negotiator said:

“We do expect to move forward this evening. We’re excited to have a deal. We’ve got most of the text done, so we’ll be releasing it and then we’ll update it as we get those last pieces finalized.”

Ohio Senator Rob Portman, the leading Republican negotiator, relayed:

“We now have an agreement on the major issues. We are prepared to move forward.”

While most details remain to be publicized, it is known that $110 billion for roads, $65 billion for broadband, and $47 billion for environmental resiliency are part of the infrastructure package.

While this, if the vote goes well, is a potentially great development for the country and American People, much needs to still be done.

Namely, passing the $3.5 trillion Democratic budget reconciliation bill which will contain all the infrastructure (like clean energy) and social justice measures like expanding the child tax credit which many families are benefiting from, that Republicans have balked at supporting.

Earlier today, the Arizona Democratic Party released a sampling of Grand Canyon State political figures that support investments in infrastructure. These include Senators Sinema and Kelly, Mayors Romero, Gallego, and Giles, and Representative Stanton.

Hopefully, this infrastructure bill and the Democratic reconciliation plans will pass both houses of Congress.

The American People need Twenty-First Century clean energy and sustainable transportation, water, and information delivery system. They also need paid family leave, human care, and an extension of the child tax credit.

It is time for the United States to lead in innovation and social justice again. These bills will help accomplish that.

If only these same Republicans would work with the Democrats on protecting and expanding voting rights.

If only.

UPDATE: All 50 Senate Democrats voted with 17 Senate Republicans to start a debate on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. This is a very good and positive development.

Additionally, with regards to funding, NPR  and CNN report there is:

  • $110 billion for roads, bridges, and other major projects.
  • $55 billion to upgrade water infrastructure including the replacement of lead pipes.
  • $11 billion in transportation safety programs.
  • $17 billion in port infrastructure.
  • $25 billion in airport repairs.
  • $39 billion in transit modernization and improved accessibility.
  • $66 billion in rail.
  • $7.5 billion to build a national network of electric vehicle chargers.
  • $7.5 billion for zero and low emission busses and ferries.
  • $73 billion in power infrastructure and clean energy transmission.
  • $65 billion in broadband expansion.
  • $21 billion in Environmental clean-up projects including abandoned mines and gas wells.

Arizona Democratic Party Chairperson and Legislative District 30 State Representative Raquel Teran released the below statement following the initial Senate vote.

“On the campaign trail, Joe Biden promised to work across the aisle and deliver on the issues that matter most to Arizonans. Trusting that he would deliver on that promise, Arizonans showed up at the ballot box in November to deliver eleven electoral college votes to Joe Biden and send him to the White House.

“Today, now-President Joe Biden has delivered on that promise and then some with this bipartisan infrastructure deal that will grow our economy, create good-paying jobs, and enhance our competitiveness — all the while centering the workers, farmers, and businesses that make up the backbone of our state.

“Thanks to his tireless leadership and incomparable ability to build a bridge across the aisle, this deal will unite our country and position us to win the 21st century together. As such, the Senate must forge ahead to pass this deal on a bipartisan basis and move forward with the rest of President Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda.”

 

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4 thoughts on “(UPDATED) Habemus Senate Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal”

  1. There is no such thing as bipartisanship while Mitch has a pulse.

    Sinema is a con artist.

    Water is wet.

    Like I mean wet af.

  2. And she promptly and publicly tanked the Democratic reconciliation deal immediately after, so when the GQP does what they’ve done with every deal like this since the Immigration Reform bill, blow it up at the last minute, we all get stuck with nothing.

    I’ll believe this “deal” when It’s on the President’s desk to sign. I don’t trust the word of any Republican politician as far as I can throw an actual elephant.

    As for voting rights, the Republican know that voting rights are an existential threat to their party, because they’re completely unwilling or unable to appeal to anyone outside their dwindling base, because it’s that rabidly reactionary base that determines their fates in the primaries, so they’re going to go to the mattresses to deny an ever-larger number of Americans the ability to cast a vote.

    • Well, that was potentially unwise on her part. Maybe it is good old-fashioned posturing. Nevertheless, she just made Pelosi, Harris, Biden, and Schumer’s job harder.

    • Sinema is taking the position “I’ve got my ‘bipartisan’ unicorn, so screw the progressives.”

      The Hill reports, “Sinema says she opposes $3.5T price tag for spending bill”, https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/565304-sinema-says-she-opposes-35t-price-tag-for-spending-bill

      Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) said Wednesday that she does not support the $3.5 trillion price tag for a sweeping spending package at the center of President Biden’s legislative agenda.

      Sinema, in a statement first reported by the Arizona Republic, said she would vote to start debate on the budget resolution, which lays the groundwork for the Democrat-only spending package but wants changes, including to the cost of the legislation.

      “I have … made clear that while I will support beginning this process, I do not support a bill that costs $3.5 trillion — and in the coming months, I will work in good faith to develop this legislation with my colleagues and the administration to strengthen Arizona’s economy and help Arizona’s everyday families get ahead,” Sinema said in a statement.

      To pass the budget resolution and the subsequent $3.5 trillion bill, all 50 Senate Democrats will need to support the measures.

      Senate Democrats are expected to vote on the budget resolution, which will set the price tag and include instructions for writing the spending package, before they leave for a weeks-long summer break. They will then return in September and pass the massive spending package itself some time this fall.

      Sinema’s statement is the latest sign of the headaches awaiting Democrats as they try to craft legislation packed with some of their biggest priorities.

      Senate Democratic aides were quick to note that Sinema’s statement suggests she will vote to start debate on the budget resolution, in a win for Democrats on the first hurdle, and save her leverage to push for changes throughout the process.

      Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has described himself as open, but hasn’t committed to a price tag or said how he will vote. Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) has also said he will vote to start debate on a budget resolution but hasn’t said if he can support the end product.

      House progressives immediately criticized Sinema, a frequent target of liberal ire, arguing that she could undercut Biden’s package.

      “Good luck tanking your own party’s investment on childcare, climate action, and infrastructure while presuming you’ll survive a 3 vote House margin – especially after choosing to exclude members of color from negotiations and calling that a ‘bipartisan accomplishment,’” tweeted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).

      House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has vowed that she will not take up the bipartisan bill until Senate Democrats have passed the second larger package, which they can do without GOP support under budget rules.

      Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) warned that if he believes the Democratic-only bill falls short he won’t support the bipartisan bill in the House.

      “Without a reconciliation package that meets this moment, I’m a no on this bipartisan deal,” Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) added in a tweet reacting to Sinema’s statement.

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