Senate Republicans Vote to Block Debate on $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Deal

Epoch Times ^ | 07/21/2021 | Jack Phillips

[SeekAndFind]

Senate Republicans on Wednesday voted to block debate on the $1.2 trillion infrastructure proposal that was previously touted as bipartisan.

A group of 22 Democratic and Republican senators issued a statement to media outlets after the vote that they are “close to a final agreement” and are hopeful that a package will be finalized.

“We will continue working hard to ensure we get this critical legislation right—and are optimistic that we will finalize, and be prepared to advance, this historic bipartisan proposal to strengthen America’s infrastructure and create good-paying jobs in the coming days,” they said in a statement.

It came weeks after senators from both parties reached an agreement with President Joe Biden on the outline of a bill that includes $600 billion in additional spending to rebuild bridges, roads, and other infrastructure. The final vote was 49 in favor and 51 against, short of the 60 votes needed to advance a debate.

“We’re voting ‘no’ today because we’re not ready, but we’re saying we do want to take up this bill as soon as we are—we think that’s Monday,” Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), the lead GOP negotiator in the infrastructure talks, said on Wednesday.

Republican lawmakers said before the vote that they wouldn’t consider the bill while some details remain unresolved. They argued that the measure lacks adequate sources of revenue, coming after lawmakers dropped a provision to raise money by expanding the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)’s tax enforcement arm.

Some left-wing Democrats said they wouldn’t vote for the measure unless they get assurances that a larger, $3.5 trillion bill can be passed. At the same time, Senate Democrats have been working to obtain more support to pass that measure using a special process known as reconciliation, which enables them to advance a bill with a mere simple majority.

[SeekAndFind]

And Regarding the larger budget bill, some centrist Democrat senators have yet to publicly commit to it, although Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), who caucuses with Democrats, told the Wall Street Journal that talks are ongoing.

[Lurkinanloomin]

Kill both of these bills or the Democrats will kill the country.

[Lurkinanloomin]

“We’re voting ‘no’ today because we’re not ready, but we’re saying we do want to take up this bill as soon as we are—we think that’s Monday,” Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), the lead GOP negotiator in the infrastructure talks, said on Wednesday.
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Exhibit A on why it’s bad to elect Assistant Democrats.

[rainee]

The media will hammer the weak suck Rinos & they’ll fold accordingly

[Mariner]

This “bipartisan infrastructure bill” is the vehicle for reconciliation of the $3.5T swamp bill.

I’m surprised the GOP held the line.

Genuinely surprised.

[bitt]

p

[little jeremiah]

Good.

[ncalburt]

The Rhinos are insane .

This phony bill is the trojan horse for
reconciliation bill .

The Rhinos are playing along as long as
Amnesty is included .

The reconciliation will kill this country
with mail in ballots and union card check
and global warning goon army .

Thats the Rhinos
but Romney id just giddy for Amnesty .

[DIRTYSECRET]

Hey Seek-51 AGAINST. Just tell us who the profiles in courage are. Democrat right?

[dsrtsage]

just remove the filibuster and pack the courts

[little jeremiah]

Of course no demsheviks will do the right thing. I assume the Rs will filibuster and prevent a vote, as they did with the insanely evil “everyone gets to vote including those in the grave, babies in the womb, and illegals” bill. Filibustered it.

[Richard Axtell]

As an act of self defense, the people of America say “shut down the Congress” and take a vacation until 2020!

[eartick]

Break out the cheap suits.

I fear a folding is coming biggly.

[Maris Crane]

Thank God.

[ExTxMarine]

What the Assistant Democrats in the D.C. Swamp won’t admit is after they give in and pass this $1.5 TRILLION debacle, the Marxist Democrats are going to pass another $3+ TRILLION debacle via reconciliation! This is not an either/or scenario to the Marxist Democrats! This is an all-out assault on the United States’ finances!

This is going to ruin our economy and F@CK the next five generations...IF WE SURVIVE FINANCIAL, as a country!

[Half_Retired]

Sooner or later we’re going to pay for the one-way escalation of the national debt, either through inflation (retirees have already been hurt by low interest rates) or some kind of wealth tax.