Civic Register
| 6.24.21

Biden & Bipartisan Lawmakers Announce Infrastructure Deal, Dems to Move Second Bill Via Reconciliation

Do you support or oppose the bipartisan infrastructure package?

What’s the story?

  • A group of bipartisan lawmakers met with President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday and announced that they reached a deal on a $579 billion bipartisan infrastructure framework that they hope will have the support of both Democratic and Republican lawmakers.
  • Biden endorsed the plan at a White House press conference, where he was flanked by the group of 10 centrist senators who originally developed the package. The broader group of 20 bipartisan senators, which is also evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, offered the following joint statement on the compromise:
“Today, we’re proud to advance this bipartisan proposal to make a historic investment in America’s critical infrastructure needs, advance cleaner technologies, create jobs, and strengthen American competitiveness, without raising taxes. This agreement shows that the two parties can still come together, find common ground, and get things done that matter to everyday Americans. We are happy to have President Biden’s support, and will now get to work enlisting the support of colleagues on both sides of the aisle.”
  • Democrats also indicated that they will move a second infrastructure package along party-lines through the reconciliation process. The size of the second package will be negotiated by Democratic lawmakers, but Senate Budget Committee Chair Bernie Sanders (I-VT) suggested a $6 trillion reconciliation bill, while moderate Democrats like Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) called for it to be smaller.
  • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) indicated the House will wait for the Senate to pass both the bipartisan bill and Democrats’ reconciliation bill before it acts on either. She said at a press conference, “There ain’t gonna be no bipartisan bill, unless we are going to have the reconciliation bill.” 
  • Biden agreed with that approach at a press event later in the day when he said of the bipartisan bill, “If this is the only thing that comes to me I’m not signing. It’s in tandem.” Senate Minority Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said Biden and Pelosi “pulled the rug out from under their bipartisan negotiators with these unserious demands” but added that he hopes the bipartisan group “can get their good-faith efforts back on track.”
  • Because the requirements of budget reconciliation include the adoption of a budget resolution, final passage of either package may not occur before both chambers leave the Capitol for August recess. That leaves plenty of time in the process for things to change yet again. Here’s a look at what’s in the bipartisan framework that senators from both sides of the aisle agreed to with the Biden administration.

What’s in the bipartisan infrastructure deal?

TRANSPORTATION SPENDING

  • $109 billion for roads, bridges, and major projects ― including the Senate-passed bipartisan water infrastructure bill and the committee-passed surface transportation bill.
  • $66 billion for passenger and freight rail repair and expansion.
  • $49 billion for public transit projects.
  • $25 billion for airports.
  • $20 billion for infrastructure financing.
  • $15 billion split evenly for electric vehicle infrastructure and electric public transportation.
  • $11 billion for safety projects involving traffic, trucking, and pipelines.

OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE SPENDING

  • $73 billion for power, including electric grid authority.
  • $65 billion for broadband.
  • $55 billion for water projects.
  • $47 billion for disaster resilience projects.
  • $21 billion for environmental remediation projects.

PAY-FORS

  • $100 billion in funding will come from private investments in public-private partnerships.
  • $80 billion from unused COVID-19 relief funding that was allocated for infrastructure.
  • $100 billion net from increased enforcement by the Internal Revenue Service (after an investment of $40 billion in the IRS).
  • $72 billion net from unemployment program integrity enforcement (after an $8 billion investment).
  • $65 billion from Federal Communication Commission spectrum rights auctions.
  • $30 billion to allow states to sell or purchase toll credits to bring in new revenue or apply credits to meet state-local match requirements with an increase in the non-federal share.
  • $25 billion from enhanced COVID-19 unemployment benefits that were rejected by states.
  • $20 billion from previously allocated broadband funding.


— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: iStock.com / peterspiro)

  • 201
    Ruth
    07/07/2021

    I support both packages the Democrats propose they both have to go together you can’t do one without the other.

  • 79
    Sister Ruth
    06/29/2021

    RESULTS keeps the advocates informed and encourages us to contact our members of Congress to support the best legislation for Global and Domestic issues. Hopefully our lawmakers hear out requests.

  • 1,020
    JoeandPeggy
    06/28/2021

    We need to get these passed. Look at what happened in Florida.

  • 169
    Katherine
    06/28/2021

    I will have to see Republicans actually go through with it. Chances are they will drag it out as long as possible and then not vote for it anyway. I hope Democrats have wised up and don’t fall for that again. It could cost us the midterms if they get played.

  • 289
    COLLEEN
    06/28/2021

    I want stuff to happen and lawmakers to quit this BS partisanship. No one wins in that scenario.

  • 1,221
    Ronald
    06/28/2021

    There is no "bipartisan" anything, under reconciliation. This is a naked power grab by the Fraudulent p biden, dems, and RINOs.

  • 3,405
    Adel
    06/28/2021

    I'm with Jim. I'll believe that one when I see it.

  • 3,405
    Adel
    06/28/2021

    I'll believe it when I see it! Sorry but Mitch has already spoken out against it..... Can't wait until he is gone so we can get to work. What a broken record. What a toad in the road. Aren't you ready to go fishing Mitch?

  • 3,405
    Adel
    06/28/2021

    Sorry to push but those New York commuter trains are falling apart, our airports are ugly messes (ie Chicago). Bridges and dams have collapsed in my State and people watched their houses float away before their eyes. Isn't it fun to ride a bike around the shoreline of Mackinaw Island? Not anymore! Let's do this!

  • 189
    Al
    06/28/2021

    All you have to do is look what happened to the Florida condo story to see what is happening to the infrastructure of our nation

  • 175
    Barbara
    06/28/2021

    A crumbling infrastructure,will eventually cause the fall of Democracy,just as house will fall, if not maintained,upgraded.

  • 218
    Bretta
    06/28/2021

    Biden is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, he is a pathological liar and frankly has no clue what the truth really is. He believes in spending huge amounts of our money, our money that we haven’t even earned yet, and tries to sell his “ infrastructure “ bull crap. How much will be given to our Military, how much will he give to better our Military techniques, vehicles, etc. Ah, wait a minute, he probably will give money toward transgender surgeries to those in the service, will give no thought to what the morale will be among our servicemen and women, he wants better haircuts for women, and maternity outfits for service women. Sorry, forgot all that. This man and his administration give no thought to building our infrastructure within a trim budget. The dollar amount being spent causes Biden no distress, he will make sure his pockets are lined. We do need new roads, new structure to old and worn but not at the expense of trillions of our money. I would love to see a comparison of a budget President Trump would need, what the money would go towards versus Biden’s outrageous plans. President Trump is a businessman, know the costs of rebuilding this country, Biden is like a 3rd grader in an Algebra class. He knows nothing.

  • 441
    Custom900
    06/28/2021

    We need to get this done now!

  • 228
    pscott74
    06/28/2021

    Beyond the fact they always spend more than they bring in, I don't see why one wouldn't support this. It is a good sign of attempting to work together to solutions. BUT, when it sounds obvious that they intend to do a 2nd bill with all the things they gave up in this negotiation, then that shows the negotiation wasn't in good faith as they really didn't give up anything to get the GOP votes. That in turn may make it less likely to 2 sides can work together in the future.

  • 50
    Deirdre
    06/28/2021

    This infrastructure bill is pathetic. It's far too small. After 60 years of neglect, we're going to pretend that all is well?

  • 409
    Paula
    06/28/2021

    TAXPAYERS shouldn't have to pay.....6 trillion dollars...THAT'S RIGHT .....6 TRILLION FOR GREEN NEW DEAL..PLUS OTHER NONSENSE...THIS IS A LIE..NOT FOR ROADS,TRAINS,BRIDGES...🤢😡🤮🤬

  • 382
    James
    06/28/2021

    Nothing in this bill should be approved that doesn't apply directly to infrastructure. Not pet projects by the administration.

  • 118
    SpyderNut
    06/28/2021

    And they call this a ‘Bipartisan Bill’ when they hope will have the support of both Democratic and Republican lawmakers.

  • 2,427
    Glowurm
    06/27/2021

    I read that we spent close to a TRILLION dollars on the endless Afghanistan war! That money would have been better spent on helping the lower income families here, by giving them housing, food, medical care, etc. What a waste! And why do we still continue to aid countries like Israel? Fix America FIRST. If there is anything left, then we can support others in need. Israel does NOT seem to be NEEDY!

  • 947
    Brenda
    06/28/2021

    Remove you approval of the deal. All Republicans should stand United. NO DEAL. The good things in this bill DO NOT out weigh the BAD things.