I would have thought that because the Democratic Senate passed the infrastructure bill, that it’d be on Biden’s desk faster than he could sniff a kid. But that’s clearly not the case because Pelosi wants the other, even more irresponsible infrastructure bill passed in the Senate:
DAILY CALLER – Now that the Senate has passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the difficult part begins for House Democrats.
In the past few weeks, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has pledged not to consider the infrastructure package on the House floor until the Senate passes another massive $4 trillion spending bill through a process known as budget reconciliation. This process is not subject to the Senate’s 60-vote rule to end debate and only requires a simple majority to pass the budget resolution and reconciliation bill.
However, Sinema has said she will not support a $4 trillion budget reconciliation bill, while Democrat Sens. John Tester , Mark Kelly, Joe Manchin and others continue to hide their true feelings about this fiscally irresponsible budget proposal.
We need Sinema not only to stick to her common-sense instincts and oppose this multi-trillion dollar piece of legislation, but for her to encourage her colleagues to do the same. In fact, “common sense” may be what tanks the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, as well as the $4 trillion budget reconciliation bill.
Boy wouldn’t that be terrific if Pelosi’s obstinance was the reason the 1.2 trillion infrastructure bill died and never made it to Joementia’s desk!
I know Sinema has put her foot down about the even more reckless infrastructure bill, but honestly, I don’t believe even Manchin is dumb enough to vote for the 3.5 trillion version and I think that’s exactly why he went all in on this less expensive one. So if the larger bill is Pelosi’s sticking point, more power to her!
Ultimately, however, I really don’t think Pelosi will keep the already-passed Senate bill from passing the House. I think she’s just bluffing to try and get her way, and once she figures out it ain’t gonna happen, she’ll get this one through the House and on to President Sniffy’s desk. But hey, I’d love to be wrong.
This gets more interesting in the House, because some members are demanding the same thing that Pelosi is demanding, saying they are a no unless they get the larger infrastructure deal with a pathway to citizenship:
But Speaker Pelosi can only afford to lose no more than 3 votes to pass anything in the Democrat-controlled House. Her caucus is everything but united on what this budget reconciliation infrastructure package will look like.
Here’s where things get tough for Pelosi. Democratic Illinois Rep. Chuy Garcia has said he will not support a reconciliation bill that does not provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Democratic New York Rep. Mondaire Jones tweeted that “without a reconciliation package that meets this moment, I’m a no on this bipartisan deal,” whatever the means. Finally, Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has threatened to block the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package if the Senate does not pass the $4 trillion legislation.
But what about moderate Democrats? Democratic New Jersey Rep. Josh Gotheimer and other Democrats recently wrote a letter to Pelosi urging her to bring up the $1.2 trillion as soon as possible. This is a sign that they see the legislative logjam happening, including the potential of both bills eventually becoming too big to pass.
The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs bill is anything but settled. There are many moving pieces that are standing between Americans spending more than $5 trillion on Green New Deal policies and social welfare programs or reconsidering the actual infrastructure needs (roads, bridges, ports, etc.) of our country.
One wing of the Democrat party will prevail. Will it be Sen. Sinema and moderate Democrats or will it be AOC and progressive Democrats? Hopefully, neither wing of the Democratic Party prevails and we spare the next generation of Americans trillions in debt.
With Republicans now being out of the spending fight, thanks to their willingness to give Democrats a chance at bankrupting our country, our hope for fiscal sanity rests with Senator Sinema and her ability to instill common sense into the Senate.
Ain’t that something. Our hope for some measure of fiscal sanity depends on a moderate Democrat. Wow.