WASHINGTON: The U.S. Senate on Sunday took two more steps toward passing a US$1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill by blessing the details of the largest U.S. investment in roads and bridges in decades and by moving to limit debate on the overall measure.
In a 69-28 vote, 19 Republicans joined 48 Democrats and two independents to support the provisions of a compromise that was the result of painstaking negotiations by a group of Republicans and Democrats.
The Senate also voted 68-29 to limit debate on the overall bill, which could put it on track for a vote on passage sometime Monday or Tuesday, and, in turn, send it to the House of Representatives. The legislation is a top priority for Democratic President Joe Biden. Its passage, which remains likely after a large Senate majority has repeatedly voted to advance it, would be a major victory for him and the bipartisan lawmakers who crafted it.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said she would only bring the bill to a vote after the Senate passes a separate US$3.5 trillion bill providing funding to fight climate change and address home healthcare, which Democrats aim to push through without Republican votes, using a maneuver called"reconciliation." Sunday's votes were delayed until the evening by the opposition of a single senator, freshman Bill Hagerty, using parliamentary rules that require all 100 senators to consent to expedite the process. Hagerty, former President Donald Trump's ambassador to Japan, objects to the legislation because of its projected increase to the federal budget deficit. He announced his opposition last week after the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the legislation would increase deficits by US$256 billion over 10 years. The CBO analysis did not include US$57 billion in revenue that Washington could collect over the long term from the economic growth benefits of infrastructure projects. It also did not count $53 billion in unused federal funds to be returned from states. Despite the frustration of lawmakers from both parties at the bill's slow progress, Democrats believe the legislation will ultimately pass. "At the end of the day, this legislation is too important not to pass. Too important. Failure, as they say, is not an option," Senator Tom Carper, Democratic floor manager for the bill, told reporters. - Reuters
Please follow us on Google to support us Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US Senate meets on Saturday to consider US$1t infrastructure bill | Malay MailWASHINGTON, Aug 7 — The US Senate will meet for the second weekend in a row today in hopes of passing a US$1 trillion (RM4.21 trillion) infrastructure bill that has struggled to overcome a series of last-minute delays and objections, despite strong bipartisan support. The package, which...
Read more »
All-conquering US win seventh straight women's Olympic basketball title | Malay MailSAITAMA, Aug 8 — A rampant United States swept past Japan to their seventh straight women's basketball crown Sunday, with Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi collecting their fifth Olympic gold medals to cap remarkable careers. Brittney Griner scored a game-high 30 points with five rebounds and two...
Read more »
US top Olympic medal table as delayed Games draw to close | Malay MailTOKYO, Aug 8 — Eliud Kipchoge produced a marathon masterclass and the USA edged China at the top of the Olympics medals table as the curtain was set to fall on the biggest sports event since the pandemic on Sunday. After Kipchoge’s marathon win for Kenya, volleyball, track cycling and...
Read more »