Key progressive calls for bipartisan infrastructure talks to end | TheHill – The Hill
Rep. Pramila JayapalPramila JayapalHouse Democrats push Garland for immigration court reforms Progressives rally behind Omar while accusing her critics of bias Bipartisan talks sow division among Democrats MORE (D-Wash.), the chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, says bipartisan infrastructure talks are proving to be a waste of time and urged Democratic leaders to move forward with a reconciliation bill that doesnt need Republican votes to pass.
In case it wasnt clear already, it certainly is now: Republicans are not going to do what needs to be done for working families. It would be foolish to think that Republican senators will suddenly go against [Senate Majority] Leader [Mitch] McConnells [R-Ky.] goal of dedicating 100 percent of his energy toward blocking President BidenJoe BidenJill Biden, Kate Middleton to meet this week Al Gore lobbied Biden to not scale back climate plans in infrastructure deal White House briefed on bipartisan infrastructure deal but says questions remain MOREs agenda, she said in a statement.
Jayapal urged the Senate and House to immediately begin working on budget resolutions to pass the American Jobs and Families Plan through reconciliation so we can deliver on our promises.
She issued her statement shortly after President Biden suspended his weeks-long negotiation with Sen. Shelley Moore CapitoShelley Wellons Moore CapitoAl Gore lobbied Biden to not scale back climate plans in infrastructure deal White House briefed on bipartisan infrastructure deal but says questions remain Bipartisan Senate group announces infrastructure deal MORE (R-W.Va.) on a bipartisan infrastructure package that would cost less than Bidens $2.25 trillion American Jobs Plan.
Now a group of Democratic and Republican moderates in the Senate are trying to step in and craft their own bipartisan deal, which would be in the ballpark of $880 billion, significantly less than what Biden says he wants.
And on Tuesday the House Problem Solvers Caucus proposed a $762 billion infrastructure spending plan.
But Jayapal says Congress needs to pass a far larger package than what the moderates are discussing.
President Biden has laid out a big, bold vision, and it is urgent. The next step is clear: lets do what the people are demanding. Lets go big, bold and fast, she said.
In a red flag for progressives, Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyWhite House briefed on bipartisan infrastructure deal but says questions remain On The Money: Consumer prices jumped 5 percent annually in May | GOP senators say bipartisan group has infrastructure deal Bipartisan Senate group announces infrastructure deal MORE (R-Utah) has told reporters that any bipartisan deal would not raise taxes and instead rely on increasing user fees and other strategies to raise revenue.
Sen. Jon TesterJonathan (Jon) TesterBipartisan Senate group announces infrastructure deal 'The era of bipartisanship is over': Senate hits rough patch On The Money: Bipartisan Senate group rules out tax hikes on infrastructure | New report reignites push for wealth tax MORE (Mont.), a moderate Democrat in the talks, confirmed that this is the position of Romney, but suggested a deal could be found.
I think theres ways to do that. Hopefully it wont be smoke and mirrors. Bottom line, this is probably the toughest part about this from my perspective, is how you get a pay-for, he said, referring to finding a way to offset the cost of hundreds of billions of dollars in new infrastructure spending without raising taxes.
Many Democrats, including Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron WydenRonald (Ron) Lee WydenSenate panel advances nominations for key Treasury positions Overnight Health Care: US to donate 500 million Pfizer doses to other countries: reports | GOP's attacks on Fauci at center of pandemic message | Federal appeals court blocks Missouri abortion ban New report reignites push for wealth tax MORE (Ore.), however, say its imperative that corporations foot a big part of the cost of infrastructure investment by paying higher taxes.
Jayapal argues the more time spent on bipartisan negotiations means the longer Congress will go without passing a significant infrastructure investment bill.
Every day that is wasted trying to get Republicans on board is another day that people cant go back to work because they dont have child care; another day without investing in millions of good, union jobs, another day that we lose further ground on the climate crisis, she said. Further delays jeopardize momentum and allow Republicans to block progress for the American people with no end in sight.
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Key progressive calls for bipartisan infrastructure talks to end | TheHill - The Hill