June 17, 2021

 A group of centrist senators huddling with White House officials on Capitol Hill this week to iron out the details of a bipartisan infrastructure framework.

Senators and White House have an infrastructure framework

 
 

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc./Getty Images

  • President Joe Biden announced Thursday "we have a deal" on infrastructure spending, appearing at the White House alongside a bipartisan group of senators. [The New York Times / Jim Tankersley and Emily Cochrane]
  • While far smaller than Biden’s original proposal, the $953 billion plan covers mostly traditional infrastructure funding and already has the support of 21 senators. [The Associated Press / Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking]
  • There is $579 billion in new spending authorized in the draft, designed to be spent over five years. [The Wall Street Journal / Kristina Peterson and Andrew Duehren]
  • Many Democrats hope to muscle through next month both the bipartisan deal and a multi-trillion reconciliation bill, which will cover investments in green energy, child care, and education. [The Hill / Jordain Carney]
  • But the bipartisan deal has some progressives worried. Liberals in Congress say they will not support the bipartisan deal without a guarantee from  moderates to also pass the reconciliation bill, which would need support from all 50 Democratic senators. [Politico / Sam Mintz]
  • Democratic leadership is expressing support for the progressive position. “There ain’t no infrastructure bill without the reconciliation bill,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Democrats on a call. [Twitter / Sarah Ferris]
  • Another factor in play: Whether Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will give his blessing to Republicans to support the deal. [The New York Times / Jim Tankersley and Emily Cochrane]