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- Lindsey Graham pitched the idea of Senate Republicans leaving town to deny Democrats a quorum.
- Graham is furious at the $ 3.5 trillion infrastructure bill Democrats want to pass through reconciliation.
- The senator said he was taking a page from the playbook of House Democrats in Texas, who left the state to block a GOP voting bill.
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Senator Lindsey Graham suggested Sunday that Senate Republicans could block the upper house by denying Democrats a quorum to pass a possible $ 3.5 trillion infrastructure package as part of the budget reconciliation process.
In an interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo on “Sunday Morning Futures,” the South Carolina Republican pitched the idea of leaving town to block a Democratic bill, referring to Democrats in Texas, who left the city. State to deny Republicans a quorum on a restrictive vote bill they fiercely oppose.
A bipartisan group of senators last month reached a tentative deal with the White House for a roughly $ 1 trillion infrastructure package that focuses on roads and bridges.
However, Democrats are also looking to adopt a separate infrastructure package, which would include other infrastructure priorities focused on child care, clean energy and education.
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Last Wednesday, Senate Democrats reached agreement on a $ 3.5 trillion reconciliation plan, which, if passed and enacted, would be a harbinger of success for Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, chairman of the committee. budget.
“This is the most important law passed since the Great Depression, and I am delighted to be a part of helping to put it in place,” he said at the time.
Passing a bill through the reconciliation process only requires a simple majority, and with Democrats holding 50 Senate seats, Vice President Kamala Harris would be the deciding vote.
AAaron Rupar (atrupar) July 18, 2021
Graham scoffed at the Democratic Party Line bill and vowed to block its passage.
“As for the $ 3.5 trillion reconciliation package, designed to pass without a single Republican vote, [Sen.] Joe manchin [of West Virginia] says it has to be paid for, “he said.” The only way to do this is to massively raise taxes. The reconciliation package is not an infrastructure. It is a big government. All kinds of new social programs unrelated to infrastructure. We’ll see if they can get Democrats’ support. “
He added: “If for some reason they pass the budget resolution to bring this [$3.5 trillion] bill to the prosecution of the United States Senate … You must have a quorum to pass a bill in the Senate. I would leave before I let this happen. So, to my fellow Republicans, we can learn something from our Democratic friends in Texas when it comes to avoiding a $ 3.5 trillion tax and expense package. Leave town. “
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Bartiromo, who has made waves for his talks with former President Donald Trump, widened his eyes when Graham raised the possibility of leaving.
The senator then berated Harris, who met with Texas lawmakers last week and praised their “extraordinary courage and commitment” for leaving the state to draw attention to voting rights.
“Hey Vice President Harris, if you think these people are heroes, well, I expect you to come and congratulate us,” he said. “Hell yeah, I would leave. I’ll use everything legally in my toolbox to prevent runaway inflation. If I don’t have to show up to stop this, I will because if we pass this bill. , you’re going to have inflation through the roof. “
The Constitution requires that a quorum of 51 senators be present for the Senate to conduct official business. Since the house is split 50-50, all Republican senators would have to sign Graham’s proposal for the plan to work.
So far, no other Republican has taken such a stand.
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