Senate Passes Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill but still Faces House Hurdles

On Tuesday, August 10, 2021, the Senate by a 69-30 vote passed along the $550 billion infrastructure plan bill to the House, where its fate is in the hands of the fractious Democratic caucus. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) — who’s under pressure from progressives who want their priorities addressed — has said she will not allow a vote on the bipartisan package (H.R. 3684) until the Senate has passed the broader economic budget plan. Five leaders of the House Blue Dog Coalition, a group of fiscally conservative Democrats, issued a statement Tuesday calling for Pelosi to swiftly bring the infrastructure bill to a vote. The Blue Dog co-chairs said they “remain opposed to any effort to unnecessarily delay consideration of these critical infrastructure investments, which will create good-paying jobs, keep American businesses competitive, and grow our nation’s economy.” The bipartisan infrastructure package includes $110 billion in new spending on roads and bridges, $73 billion for electric grid updates and $66 billion for rail and Amtrak. There is also funding for expansion of broadband service in rural areas and upgrades to drinking water systems through replacement of dangerous lead pipes.