Faced with a humiliating defeat at the hands of progressives in her party, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) Support. Left-wing Democrats have vowed to block the measure until they fluff over a $ 3.5 trillion social spending bill.
The controversy threatens two of President Biden’s top legislative priorities and has so far confused party leaders, senior Congressional officials and White House aides who have sought solutions.
Pelosi had insisted throughout the week that the infrastructure law be passed on Thursday. He first promised liberal members of his convention who supported the measure that it would be passed by September 27, but helped shorten the deadline as he sought to appease progressives who had previously backed the great law Project. But I wanted to vote.
The speaker was confident earlier Thursday that the $ 1.2 trillion bill would pass on his schedule, despite efforts by Democratic House leaders to keep it to a minimum.
When asked if she would delay the ballot, she told reporters: “I have no plans to do anything.” “I plan to move in a positive direction. I just imagine taking it and winning.
Hours later, the speaker sought to put a positive spin on what he called a “productive and important day”.
“Discussions are underway with the House, Senate and White House to reach agreement on a bicameral framework to better build a passageway. [$3.5 trillion] reconciliation bill, ”Pelosi wrote in a“ Dear Colleague ”letter.
“The Bilateral Infrastructure Bill has already adopted its rule and its debate is over. All of this momentum brings us closer to crafting a reconciliation bill in a way that will pass through the House and the Senate. “
Moderate rape. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) tweeted Thursday night that hopes for a deal are “not over yet!”
“It’s just a long legislative day – we’re not literally adjourning,” he wrote. “Negotiations are still ongoing and we continue to work. Like I said earlier: take Gatorade and Red Bull. ”
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement the two sides were “closer than ever to a deal.” But we’re not there yet, and therefore, we will need more time to complete the job tomorrow. First thing in the morning.
After left-wing lawmakers have repeatedly insisted in recent days that they have enough votes to comply with the infrastructure bill, Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) Has criticized liberal Kirsten Cinema (D-Wash.) D-Ariz. ) and met Joe. Munchkin (D-West Va.) – The pair have held several White House meetings in recent days – to provide a number at the top of the welfare spending bill.
Almost on a cue, a July note signed by Manchin and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) surfaced on Thursday, revealing West Virginia had requested $ 1.5 trillion in revenue. dollars.
On Wednesday, Manchin reiterated his opposition to spending 3.5 trillion dollars “when we have already spent 5.4 trillion dollars since last March”.
“What I have made clear to the President and Democratic leaders is that spending billions of billions more on new and expanded government programs when we cannot even pay for essential social programs like security social and Medicare, is the definition of fiscal insanity. is, ”he said in a statement. “To suggest that spending billions more will have no effect on inflation ignores the daily reality that American households continue to pay an inevitable inflationary tax.”
Jayapal told reporters he believed Munchkin’s statement inspired more progressive people to vote against the infrastructure bill – which Munchkin had helped negotiate with – and insisted his bloc had voice to reduce the measure,
House progressives were encouraged in their inaction by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Who told reporters he had not seen an agreement on the final form of the spending bill social before Thursday evening and warned that progressives would win. Will lose if the infrastructure bill is passed first.
“What deal, what deal?” asked Sanders. “We don’t know what the deal is. If it’s a $ 10 trillion deal, I’ll sign it.
Moderate House Democrats are also outraged when Pelosi struck a deal with them in July to vote on an infrastructure measure in exchange for their votes on a budget that would allow Democrats to move forward with the plan. 3.5 trillion dollars. To – that they try to pass without Republicans. Cooperation.
Representative Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.), Chair of the Liberal-Conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition, threatened on Wednesday to withdraw her vote on the reconciliation bill if the bipartisan bill did not appear in the House, arguing that the delay Hui had hampered his “belief” that leaders and progressives would negotiate with him in good faith.
Democrats currently have an eight-seat majority in the House of Representatives, meaning only three of Pelosi’s members can vote against a measure before losing – assuming all Republicans are determined.
.
