Americans Back the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. Will Pelosi Get It Passed?
The bipartisan infrastructure bill, which comes to a vote on the House floor next Monday, contains much-needed provisions backed by both parties, and enjoys the support of 75% of Americans. But as of now, it could be voted down on September 27.
Speaker Pelosi has kept her word to call a vote by that date. But she also vowed to “rally House Democratic support,” and so far, there is little evidence she is doing so. Dozens of progressives are signaling they may vote against it unless the multi-trillion-dollar social spending and climate bill advances at the same time.
House Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) said regarding the infrastructure bill, “It will not pass.” Punchbowl reports Jayapal “said she was whipping against the infrastructure bill at this point.”
Significant progressive defections on the infrastructure bill could doom it. While it does have Republican support, as Fox News reports, House Problem Solvers Caucus members Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD) “have both indicated the infrastructure pact could disintegrate if there’s a delay in voting or if it is somehow ‘linked’ to the bigger social spending package.” Axios reports Republicans estimated that “anywhere from roughly 20 to fewer than 10” members of their caucus will vote in favor on Monday — though Politico reports several House Republicans said the bill’s “House GOP support could triple if Democrats detach its fate” from the bigger bill.
Said No Labels National Co-Chair Gov. Larry Hogan (R-MD): “It’s gotten completely off the rails. We’ve worked for quite some time to negotiate a bipartisan infrastructure bill, which did not include any of this additional spending. We’ve got the president to commit to it. We’ve got the Senate to pass it. And then the House is now saying if we can’t jam through our $3 and a half trillion of other stuff that we took out of this compromise bill, that they’re not going to do it.”
This is a bill the nation needs now. Problem Solvers Co-Chair Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) said Monday, “For everyone who has hit a pothole, has been stuck on a train, spent too much time commuting, or whose business can’t get the broadband connection they need…the bipartisan infrastructure bill is a game-changer.”
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told small business owners in New Jersey: “This infrastructure package is a huge step forward for America, and your congressman, Congressman Gottheimer, has been a leader in that effort.”
This is a pivotal moment for supporters of practical two-party solutions. This essential legislation — one most voters and legislators of both parties want to see enacted — is at risk of collapsing. With just days to go, only Speaker Pelosi can get it back on track.
It’s time for Pelosi to keep her promise.