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Schumer’s decision to table a fence sets up a key procedural vote on Saturday, which requires 60 votes to end debate on the bill.
But senators still have discussions on a series of votes Thursday night, including a possible vote on the final passage. However, given the timeline, this looks increasingly unlikely.
If the procedural vote continues on Saturday and 60 senators vote to move the bill forward, then there will be limited time for debate followed by additional votes – then a final passage. At this point, the passage could take place as early as Saturday if all senators agree. Otherwise, the vote would take place until early next week.
Schumer said in remarks on the ground Thursday night that Democrats and Republicans have been working all day and are still negotiating a deal to move to final amendment votes on the bill, but “we don’t. are not there yet “.
He added: “If we can still come to an agreement tonight, which is our preference… we will have additional votes on the amendments. I think we are very close to an agreement and see no reason why we do not. cannot complete this important bipartisan bill. I therefore urge both parties to continue to work diligently to make it happen. “
The huge bipartisan infrastructure package, called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, represents a major bipartisan achievement that will allow both sides to claim victory. It includes $ 550 billion in new federal spending over five years. The measure invests $ 110 billion in financing roads, bridges and major projects, $ 66 billion in passenger and freight rail transport, $ 65 billion to rebuild the power grid, $ 65 billion to expand broadband Internet access, $ 39 billion to modernize and expand transit systems, and $ 7.5 billion to create the first federal network of electric vehicle charging stations. The bill also includes $ 55 billion for water infrastructure, of which $ 15 billion will be spent on replacing lead pipes.
Schumer’s decision to close debate is a delicate one as he strives to successfully lead a major Democratic legislative priority in the Senate. The Senate debated and voted on amendments to the legislation throughout the week. Amendment votes began on Monday after the Senate held a rare weekend session as bipartisan negotiators rushed to finalize the text of the bill, which was finally unveiled on Sunday evening.
Republicans have warned Schumer not to “rush” the process – and asked him to allow members enough time to review the roughly 2,000-page legislation, which was only released a few days ago. as well as enable a robust amendment process. .
In a press conference on Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell warned that if Schumer ended debate on the bipartisan infrastructure bill too soon, he would urge his members to block it.
But after further amendment votes on Tuesday and Wednesday, including one backed by Republican Senator Ron Johnson that would ban the cancellation of border wall contracts, which ultimately failed, top GOP senators have indicated they are ready. to move forward.
Senators voted on more than a dozen amendments. A series of bipartisan amendments have been passed at wide margins, including one that provides funding for Native American health facilities and another aimed at addressing labor shortages in the wireless and high-rise industries. debit.
Another amendment – supported by what the majority leader called the “unusual twinning” of Sens. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat from Georgia, and Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas – were so popular that he was adopted by voice vote. “Miracles happen,” Schumer joked. Their amendment designates other high priority corridors on the national road network.
Schumer faces a balancing act as he pursues a two-track strategy, aimed at swiftly passing bipartisan infrastructure legislation in order to move “immediately” to passing the Democrats’ budget resolution, which will throw out the bases for adopting an even more radical infrastructure package. with a potential price tag of $ 3.5 trillion that can be surpassed without GOP support and include Biden’s priorities left out in the bipartisan bill.
Another motivator for senators to quickly wrap up the bill is the scheduled August chamber recess that begins on August 9. Schumer warned he would keep the Senate in session until they pass both the bipartisan infrastructure bill and a budget resolution with reconciliation instructions.
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