Manchin warns House Democrats against bipartisan delay in infrastructure bill

His. Joe manchinJoe ManchinYellen and Walsh rule out extending unemployment assistance in the event of a pandemic. (DW.Va.) leans on House Democrats to expedite consideration of Senate’s estimated $ 1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, endorsing efforts by group of moderates in conflict with the president Nancy PelosiNancy Pelosi Five lawmakers to watch ahead of key House budget vote Pelosi says the House is working to pass infrastructure bills by October 1. (D-California).

Manchin, in a statement, noted that the Senate passed the bipartisan bill before Democrats approved a budget plan that allows them to try to pass a $ 3.5 trillion spending plan later this year. year without GOP support.

“The House should put politics aside and do the same. With so much uncertainty in the world today, one thing is certain, we must unite and embrace a core priority of the American people: improving our infrastructure. nation, “Manchin said in a statement. .

“It would send a terrible message to the American people if this bipartisan bill is taken hostage. I urge my colleagues in the House to act quickly to ensure that this bill is tabled once in a generation on the President’s desk to his signature, “he added.

Manchin’s statement comes as House Democrats return to Washington on Monday, with Democratic leaders keen to approve the budget resolution and leave the city again on Tuesday.

Pelosi has vowed that she will not put the bipartisan Senate infrastructure deal to a vote until later this year, when the House passes the $ 3.5 trillion spending plan.

But she is at an impasse with a group of nine moderate Democratic lawmakers who want an immediate vote on the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Progressives and members of the leadership have warned that the bipartisan bill does not have the votes to pass unless it is directly tied to the $ 3.5 trillion spending program.

Pelosi is expected to present the budget resolution on Tuesday, which paves the way for the Democratic package only. Given the unified opposition of the GOP, it can only afford to lose three of its members.

Even as Pelosi finds a way to resolve the stalemate with the moderates and approves the budget resolution this week, Democrats still face big headaches in crafting a $ 3.5 trillion package.

Centrist Democrats in the House have sounded the alarm on the price to be paid. And in the Senate, the leader of the majority Charles schumerChuck Schumer With minority bent on filibustering, US Senate remains the place where Bills die Biden grapples with twin crises Moderation has no virtue in the fight for voting rights MORE (DN.Y.) needs a total unit to pass the expense package starting next month.

His. Kyrsten CinemaKyrsten Sinema10 Reasons To Hate Bipartisan ‘Infrastructure’ Bill No Labels Praises Moderate Democrats For Threatening Budget Resolution Derail Tory Group Targets Kelly and Hassan on 0.5T PLUS Spending Plan (D-Ariz.) Publicly warned late last month that she could not afford a $ 3.5 trillion cost for the Democratic-only spending program, signaling that she would try to lower the bill for weeks of backstage haggling before the Senate returns next month.

John LaBombard, spokesperson for Sinema, reiterated on Monday that “she will not support a budget reconciliation bill that costs $ 3.5 trillion” and called for the bipartisan $ 1 trillion bill from the Senate be “considered on its own merits”.