The infrastructure deal a bipartisan group of senators made Wednesday took another step towards becoming law Friday, as the Senate voted to advance it. The video above shows clips from a Friday news conference where members of both parties expressed optimism regarding the deal’s future.
“We’re not there yet, of course but I’m confident that when this bill gets sent to the House from the Senate and with the president and the White House firmly behind it, we will take it up quickly for a strong stand alone bipartisan vote, because that’s what the country wants,” Rep. Josh Gottheimer, co-chair of the so-called “Problem Solvers Caucus”, said. The caucus is a bipartisan group of House lawmakers.
Friday’s vote to advance came in at 66-28, similar to Wednesday’s 67-32 voted to begin debate on the $1 trillion deal. Both votes, significantly bipartisan considering the 50-50 split in the Senate. “There are a few things to do in a very toxic environment, political toxic environment that bring us together,” Sen. Joe Manchin said. “One is our military and support for our military and law enforcement officers across this country. The next is infrastructure.”
Given the bipartisan support, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the deal should make it through the Senate fairly quickly. “We may need the weekend, we may vote on several amendments, but with the cooperation of our Republican colleagues I believe we can finish the bipartisan infrastructure bill in a matter of days,” Sen. Schumer said.
Where things may get more interesting is if or when the deal gets to the house. President Joe Biden is also looking to pass a $3.5 trillion infrastructure package. While the Problem Solvers Caucus wants the House to pass the smaller deal as soon as possible, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said there won’t be a vote unless the Senate also passes the larger package as well.
“I’m not asking Speaker Pelosi today to support the bill. I’m asking for something a lot more basic than that. I’m asking to give us a vote,” said Rep. Dusty Johnson. “Let us vote.”
Rep. Gottheimer also called for the House to vote as soon as possible, saying “that’s what the country wants.”
