In defiance of Trump, more than one-third of Senate GOP backs infrastructure bill
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Former President Trump (Photo credit:The Guardian)
Former President Donald Trump's calls to thwart the centerpiece of President Joe Biden's agenda went unheeded by 19 Senate Republicans, who joined all 50 Democratic-voting senators Tuesday to pass a $550 billion infrastructure package.
The "yes" votes amounted to one of the more significant rebukes of Trump, who maintains a strong grip on the party's base and sought unsuccessfully to pass an infrastructure deal of his own when he was in office.
In recent weeks, Trump criticized Republicans for supporting the effort and threatened them with possible primary challengers.
"It is a loser for the USA, a terrible deal, and makes the Republicans look weak, foolish, and dumb," he said in a statement last month. "It shouldn't be done. It sets an easy glidepath for Dems to then get beyond what anyone thought was possible in future legislation. ... Don't do it Republicans — Patriots will never forget! If this deal happens, lots of primaries will be coming your way!"
But the threats weren't enough to deter 40 percent of the Republican caucus.
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Former President Donald Trump's calls to thwart the centerpiece of President Joe Biden's agenda went unheeded by 19 Senate Republicans, who joined all 50 Democratic-voting senators Tuesday to pass a $550 billion infrastructure package.
The "yes" votes amounted to one of the more significant rebukes of Trump, who maintains a strong grip on the party's base and sought unsuccessfully to pass an infrastructure deal of his own when he was in office.
In recent weeks, Trump criticized Republicans for supporting the effort and threatened them with possible primary challengers.
"It is a loser for the USA, a terrible deal, and makes the Republicans look weak, foolish, and dumb," he said in a statement last month. "It shouldn't be done. It sets an easy glidepath for Dems to then get beyond what anyone thought was possible in future legislation. ... Don't do it Republicans — Patriots will never forget! If this deal happens, lots of primaries will be coming your way!"
But the threats weren't enough to deter 40 percent of the Republican caucus.