Bipartisan infrastructure vote stalled amid confusion over text

Bait and switch? Nahh they wouldn't do that..............

S E E D E D   C O N T E N T

The Senate abruptly halted a procedural vote Friday on the bipartisan infrastructure package, amid a dispute over the legislative text.

© J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo The bipartisan group of Senate negotiators speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, July 28, 2021. From left are Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.

The vote was interrupted shortly after a draft of the legislation began to circulate that Republicans did not support. Republicans are asking for assurances from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer that the text will be based on the agreement by a bipartisan group of 10 negotiators.

In a statement ahead of the scheduled vote, Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) said the text would be released when it was final. Democratic aides insist that the bipartisan bill will be the eventual legislation that will be voted on.

"When legislative text is finalized that reflects the product of our group, we will make it public together consistent with the bipartisan way we've worked for the last four months," Portman and Sinema said.

Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters that "Dems are in disarray, I think, in what to put up to vote on."

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), one of the Democratic negotiators, said Friday that broadband remains a problem. "As we're drafting the language, some issues have come up," she said.

In his opening remarks Friday, Schumer predicted that the Senate would move quickly on the bill and suggested that the chamber could stay in during the weekend.

"With the cooperation of our Republican colleagues, I believe we can finish the bipartisan infrastructure bill in a matter of days," Schumer said, adding that the legislation is a "massive down payment towards rebuilding our nation's infrastructure, will benefit our economy for years and decades."

The delayed vote prompted confusion among senators. Earlier this week, 17 Senate Republicans supported considering the bipartisan agreement. But some said Friday that if the legislative text is not what Portman and Sinema agreed to, they would not vote to move forward.

"If it's not Sinema-Portman, I'm out," said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), one of the 17 Republicans.

Continue ReadingShow full articles without "Continue Reading" button for {0} hours. Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.