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Senator Mitt Romney, Republican of Utah, arrives at a luncheon on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, June 16, 2021.
Sarah Selbiger | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Ten Republican senators support a bipartisan infrastructure framework, enough to pass a potential bill into the House if all skeptical Democrats support it.
In a statement Wednesday, 20 Democratic and Republican senators endorsed a nearly $1 trillion proposal, which would not raise taxes on corporations or wealthy individuals. The plan would rejuvenate transportation, broadband, and water, but it would not meet many Democrats’ goals for investing in clean energy and social programs.
“We look forward to working with our Republican and Democratic colleagues to develop legislation based on this framework to address America’s critical infrastructure challenges,” the senators said in a statement.
The proposal is the last sustained effort to strike a bipartisan infrastructure deal before Democrats move to pass legislation themselves. A smaller group of 10 senators who drafted the plan tried to win support on Capitol Hill, but they have yet to have the blessing of congressional leaders or the White House.
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A few liberals in the Senate have threatened to vote against the bipartisan deal, which they say does not do enough to combat climate change or income inequality. If any Democrat opposes the plan, more than 10 Republicans will need to support it until it reaches the 60-vote threshold to pass legislation in the Senate.
Some Democrats have suggested that their party could agree to a physical infrastructure plan with Republican support if skeptics get guarantees that their priorities will be addressed later. Democrats can then move to pass broader investments in child and elder care, green energy, education and health care themselves through a budget compromise.
Democrats must balance concerns on both sides of their party. The more conservative Democratic senator, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, has stressed that he wants the infrastructure bill passed with GOP votes.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats will begin the process of drafting a budget resolution on Wednesday, even as bipartisan talks continue. He said the proposal, tucked into the social and climate programs included in President Joe Biden’s American Jobs and American Families plan, “will be considered by the Senate even if it does not have bipartisan support.”
“There are many items to discuss, but one topic off the table: I will direct members to ensure that any budget decision puts the United States on the right track to reduce carbon pollution on a scale commensurate with the climate crisis,” the Democrat said earlier Wednesday.
Biden, who left Geneva, Switzerland after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, said he had not seen details of the bipartisan plan. However, he noted that his chief of staff Ron Klein believes there is “room” to come to an agreement with the Republicans.
Paying for an infrastructure plan can pose problems. Republicans insisted they would not touch the 2017 tax law, which lowered the corporate rate to 21%. Biden wants to raise corporate tax to at least 25%.
The president also promised not to raise taxes on anyone who earns less than $400,000 a year. Increased revenue potential in a bipartisan plan — linking the gas tax to inflation — could effectively break his pledge.
Republicans who signed Wednesday’s statement are Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rob Portman of Ohio, Mitt Romney of Utah and Mike Rounds of the South. Dakota, Tom Telles of North Carolina, and Todd Young of Indiana.
Joining Democrats are Senators Chris Coons of Delaware, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Mark Kelly of Arizona, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Jane Shaheen of New Hampshire, Kirsten Sinema of Arizona, and Mark Warner of Arizona. Virginia. The statement was also signed by Angus King, an independent from the US state of Maine who rallies with Democrats.
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