The Senate has approved an approximately $1-trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and the framework for a separate $3.5-trillion measure that Democrats plan to pass on their own. As the fight expands to the House, Democrats there are insisting that the bipartisan infrastructure bill — full of transportation, water, broadband and other infrastructure projects — and the broader package — focused on addressing climate change and expanding the social safety net — must pass together to ensure the bigger package is not left behind. Democrats can reach that number with the help of the chamber’s two independents and a tie-breaking vote by Vice President Kamala Harris, but only if all 48 Democrats vote yes. Which Senate Democrats are wavering? A similar balancing act is already playing out in the House, even though it won’t receive the $3.5-trillion bill until later in the fall.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 11, 2021 17:03 UTC