Biden tells Dems $ 1.2 billion infrastructure bill can’t go through without spending deal

In the clearest sign yet that progressives are running the show, President Biden told House Democrats on Friday that there would be no more movement on his bipartisan $ 1.2 trillion infrastructure deal. dollars until the party comes to an agreement on the final form of a broader social spending measure. .

“I’m telling you, we’ll get there,” Biden brooded to reporters after his less than 30-minute meeting before adding that “it doesn’t matter” when the legislation gets passed.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s six minutes, six days, or six weeks,” Biden said. “We are going to do it.”

Meanwhile, Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), The leader of the Progressive Congressional Caucus – who refused to accompany House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to pass the infrastructure bill until biggest social spending measure passed in Senate – acknowledged that “we’re going to have to get off” their $ 3.5 trillion demand for the spending plan.

“It was very clear the two are related,” Jayapal said of Biden’s message to lawmakers. “We have to get this reconciliation bill and, you know, it’s going to be tough. “

Pelosi (D-Calif.) Sought to soften the blow of another disastrous day for Democrats, writing in a so-called “Dear Colleague” letter that Biden had “honored” us with his visit and “received a hero’s welcome.” .

“While great progress has been made in negotiations to craft an agreement between the House, Senate and White House on the Build Back Better Act, more time is needed to complete the task,” Pelosi said, making reference to the draft law on social spending.

“Our presidents always work for clarity and consensus,” she added. “Clearly, the bipartisan infrastructure bill will be passed once we get agreement on the reconciliation bill. “

Senate Democrats are hoping to pass the spending measure to the upper house of Congress without the support of Republicans as part of the reconciliation process. But two moderate senators, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, say the price to pay is too high – and Manchin put forward a figure of $ 1.5 trillion as the maximum he would vote “yes” for. .

Progressives led by Jayapal had threatened to defeat the infrastructure bill, which was passed by the Senate in August, if it were to pass before the bigger spending proposal. Pelosi (D-Calif.) Initially promised moderate Democrats a vote on the infrastructure bill by September 27 before pushing the deadline back to Thursday as progressives sank into their heels.

Democratic House leaders were unable to table the $ 1.2 trillion bill on Thursday, but left members hanging out much of the night as they tried unsuccessfully to find a agreement authorizing a vote.

Representative Andy Kim (D-NJ), a member of the Progressive Caucus, told The Post that Biden “does not appear concerned” about the timing of a stand-alone vote on the infrastructure bill.

“He just said we had to get the deal, and he didn’t set any deadline for how long,” Kim added.

The new number at the top of a reconciliation bill remains a hot topic of speculation. Moderate Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) told reporters that figure would likely be closer to $ 2 trillion than $ 3.5 trillion.

Another moderate, Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) Noted that Biden “kind of threw in the $ 2 trillion figure a few times, and so that’s a certainty we’ve never heard of. previously”.

Democrats currently hold an eight-seat majority in the House of Representatives. While all Republicans should vote against the welfare spending bill, Pelosi cannot afford for three moderate members of his caucus to turn against the measure before it fails – if it ever comes up for a vote. .