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A bipartisan group of senators announced Thursday that they have reached a tentative agreement on a framework for the infrastructure plan, as they are making a risky attempt to secure the approval of the Biden administration, congressional leaders and regular lawmakers.
The statement, issued by five Democrats and five Republicans, offered few details about the substance of the agreement, plus it was a “realistic compromise framework for modernizing our nation’s infrastructure and energy technologies” that would be paid for in full without tax increases.
But the initial framework is expected to include about $579 billion in new spending, as part of a comprehensive package that will cost about $974 billion over five years and about $1.2 trillion over eight years, according to two people familiar with the details, who disclosed them. On condition of anonymity. The Biden administration had previously signaled its support for a package that spent at least $1 trillion in new funds over eight years, in addition to expected maintenance of existing programs.
The announcement came after a dizzying day on Capitol Hill, where senators involved in the debates gave conflicting assessments of their progress. It was not clear when the group would reveal specific details or publish a legislative text, although members of the group said they were discussing the proposal with colleagues and the White House.
The initial agreement, which outlines funding for traditional physical infrastructure projects, faces severe headwinds, despite direct encouragement and personal communication from President Biden. Lawmakers and aides in both parties remain skeptical about the group’s ability to muster the 60 votes needed to overcome the disruption in the Senate, given deep divisions over funding levels and how to push such a package.
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