GOP Could Deprive Democrats of Quorum for Infrastructure Bill

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Lindsey Graham floated the idea of ​​Senate Republicans bypassing the city to deny Democrats a quorum. Graham is angry at the $3.5 trillion infrastructure bill that Democrats want to pass through reconciliation. The senator said he was taking a page out of the playbook of House Democrats in Texas, who had left the state to block a Republican vote bill. Subscribe to our daily 10 Things in Politics newsletter. Something is loading.

Senator Lindsey Graham suggested Sunday that Republican senators could grind the upper chamber to a halt by denying Democrats a quorum to pass a potential $3.5 trillion infrastructure package through the budget compromise process.

During an interview with host Maria Bartiromo on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” the South Carolina Republican floated the idea of ​​the city skipping a block on a Democratic bill, referring to Democrats in the Texas House of Representatives, who left the state to deny Republicans a quorum on a bill Restricted voting they vehemently oppose.

A bipartisan group of senators last month struck an initial deal with the White House for a nearly $1 trillion infrastructure package focused on roads and bridges.

However, Democrats are also seeking to pass a separate infrastructure package, which would include other infrastructure priorities focused on childcare, clean energy and education.

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Last Wednesday, Senate Democrats reached agreement on a $3.5 trillion reconciliation package, which, if passed and signed into law, would be a breakthrough for Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, chair of the Budget Committee.

“This is the most important legislation passed since the Great Depression, and I’m happy to be a part of helping put it together,” he said at the time.

Passing a bill through the reconciliation process requires only a simple majority, and with Democrats taking 50 seats in the Senate, Vice President Kamala Harris will be the pivotal deciding vote.

Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) Jul 18, 2021

Graham mocked the Democratic Party bill and vowed to prevent it from being passed.

As for the $3.5 trillion reconciliation package designed to pass without a single Republican vote, [Sen.] Joe Mansion [of West Virginia] He says you have to pay for it. And the only way to do that is through a huge tax increase. Reconciliation package is not infrastructure. It is a big government. All kinds of new social programs that have nothing to do with infrastructure. We’ll see if they can get the Democrats back.”

He added: “If for some reason they agree to the draft budget to achieve this [$3.5 trillion] A bill to the US Senate… You must have a quorum to pass a bill in the Senate. I’m leaving before I let that happen. So, for my fellow Republicans, we may learn something from our Democratic friends in Texas when it comes to avoiding a $3.5 trillion tax and spending package. Leave the city.”

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Bartiromo, who caused a stir in her interviews with former President Donald Trump, widened her eyes when Graham mentioned the possibility of leaving.

He then criticized Senator Harris, who met lawmakers from Texas last week and praised their “extraordinary courage and commitment” to leave the state to draw attention to voting rights.

“Hey Vice President Harris, if you think these guys are heroes, I expect you to come and hit us on the back,” he said. “Yes, I’m leaving. I will use everything legally in my toolbox to prevent rampant inflation. If it asks me not to show up to stop it, I will because if we pass this law, there will be inflation through the roof.”

The constitution provides for a quorum of 51 senators for the Senate to carry out its official business. With the room split 50 to 50, all Republican senators would have to sign Graham’s proposal for the plan to work.

So far, no other Republican has taken such a position.

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