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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) Said “we still have amendments that need to be dealt with. Once they are, we can slow things down.”
Several Tory Senators endorsed the conclusion as soon as possible, including Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.) And Mike Lee (R-Utah). Paul said the finances of the bill were questionable and he would not support it, but “I can finish anytime people are fed up with what we’re doing right now.”
It is also possible that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer could decide to close debate on the bipartisan infrastructure bill as early as Thursday afternoon, which would set up a crucial vote this weekend on the ‘OK. Speeding things up would require the agreement of 100 senators, and many Republicans want to see a Congressional Budget Office analysis of the funding for the infrastructure bill that is expected Thursday.
GOP leaders met Thursday afternoon to discuss the issue. Lee, the chairman of the steering committee, is involved in the discussions.
“Everyone understands that right behind this is going to be the budget. And I don’t think anyone is looking to extend this any longer than necessary,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who also attended the meeting at McConnell’s office.
Failing that deal, Schumer could set things in motion on Thursday after the Senate considers other amendments to the bill, although no final decision has been made. That would set up a vote on Saturday to overcome an obstruction, when the bill would need the support of at least 10 GOP senators.
Once Bill defeats a filibuster, he will be on a passage lane to the passage. Immediately after that, the Senate will consider a Democratic budget that will set in motion the potential future passage of a spending bill of up to $ 3.5 trillion. Senate leaders discuss the details of how they can wrap up the two issues, but give rank-and-file members enough time to debate and consider them.
Schumer did not indicate his intention to conclude the infrastructure bill imminently during ground remarks on Thursday morning. But he defended his handling of the process and boasted that, under his control, the chamber had so far considered more amendments than during the GOP’s combined 2019 and 2020s. He also indicated that he wanted to finish the bill as soon as he could.
“Today we will be looking at even more amendments. And I hope we can close this bill very soon, ”Schumer said. “Our goal is to pass both a bipartisan infrastructure bill and a budget resolution during this working period, and we will stay here to do both.”
As of Thursday morning, the chamber had considered 22 amendments, the majority of them from the GOP. Republicans are privately signaling that they are likely to vote to move the bill forward, provided consideration of Thursday’s amendment goes smoothly.
“I literally don’t know [what will happen]. I know what we aspire to do, but there is no agreement yet, ”said Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). “The general idea is that the sooner the better we can get to the budget resolution.
Democrats plan to move the infrastructure bill to a final vote as soon as GOP supporters of the bill are satisfied with the possibility of proposing amendments. So far, 18 GOP senators – including McConnell – have shown support for the infrastructure bill on key procedural votes.
McConnell warned Schumer earlier this week not to interrupt consideration of the amendments, urging Schumer to go “slowly and steadily”. But the long-awaited infrastructure bill review may be nearing its natural end, with many Republicans expected to attend Friday’s funeral for former Sen. Mike Enzi in Wyoming and then return for Saturday’s work.
Marianne LeVine contributed to this report.
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