Status: 02.08.2021 10:02 a.m.
–
–
–
After a tough struggle, US Senate negotiators have agreed on a billion dollar infrastructure package. Now a quick vote is to be taken on the law, which is one of President Biden’s most important projects.
Shortly before its summer break, the US Senate completed work on the legislative text on President Joe Biden’s historic infrastructure package. “We haven’t passed such a large, non-partisan law of this kind for a long time,” said Senate majority leader, Democrat Chuck Schumer. A final vote on it is probably only “a matter of days”.
Ten senators from both parties had been wrestling over the bill for days. It should actually be finished on Friday, but was then still delayed. One of the Republican negotiators, Senator Rob Portman, said the end product will be “great for the American people.” The democratic negotiator Kyrsten Sinema said the bill shows that “we can put our political differences aside for the good of the country”.
Federal funding at historic levels
Last week, the US Senate advanced Biden’s hundreds of billions of billions of dollars and, after weeks of negotiations, voted to initiate the legislative process. The bill, which is part of Biden’s far-reaching domestic political agenda, totals $ 1 trillion.
If the law is finally passed by Congress, federal funds are to be made available at a historic level. The package is expected to provide $ 110 billion for roads and bridges, 39 billion for local and long-distance public transport and 66 billion for rail. It should also contain 55 billion for the water and wastewater infrastructure as well as another billion for airports, ports, broadband internet and charging stations for e-vehicles.
Dispute over funding
The spending has widespread support in Congress as it provides capital for major projects that cities and states would otherwise not be able to afford. However, the financing was controversial. Now, among other things, a reallocation of 205 billion dollars of unclaimed corona aid and unemployment benefits rejected by some states is planned. In addition, future economic growth is the focus.
“This bipartisan bill and our joint commitment to get it through is further evidence that the Senate can work,” said the statement by the senators involved in the text. The package presented late on Sunday evening comprises around 2700 pages.
Biden’s plans go further
Biden’s Democrats only have a wafer-thin majority in the Senate: like the Republicans, they have 50 senators, and in stalemates, Vice President Kamala Harris, in her role as Senate President, decides. However, most laws require a majority of 60 senators. Because of this, the Republicans can block bills.
Republican Senator John Cornyn said he expected Schumer to give all senators the opportunity to contribute to the bill and allow changes from members of both parties. A sharper debate on the bill is expected in the House of Representatives. Progressive MPs there are calling for an even more extensive package, but may have to come to terms with what has now been presented in order not to torpedo Biden’s infrastructure plans.
The infrastructure project is one of Biden’s most important projects with which he wants to modernize America and make it fit for the future.
–
