Bipartisan group of senators reach infrastructure ‘framework’ deal

“We have a framework, and we’re going to the White House tomorrow,” Utah Sen. Mitt Romney told reporters.

PORTMAN SAYS SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE ‘ABSOLUTELY COMMITTED’ TO GETTING BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE DEAL

“There is a framework of agreement on a bipartisan infrastructure package,” Collins said. “There’s still details to be worked out.”

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said an “outline” of the agreement had been reached.

“White House senior staff had two productive meetings today with the bipartisan group of Senators who have been negotiating about infrastructure,” she said in a statement. “The group made progress towards an outline of a potential agreement, and the President has invited the group to come to the White House tomorrow to discuss this in-person.”

A group of 21 senators, 10 Republicans and 11 Democrats, have worked to reach a consensus to prevent the upper chamber from using the reconciliation process, requiring a simple majority instead of a filibuster-proof 60 votes to advance legislation. The reconciliation process would allow the bill to pass without GOP support if all Democrats vote in favor.

Last week, a smaller bipartisan group of lawmakers agreed on a proposal that would total $974 billion on infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges, waterways, and expanded broadband. The proposal would include about $579 billion in new spending over five years but is still far less than President Joe Biden‘s $1.7 trillion proposal.

Republicans staunchly object to tax increases, while Democrats have echoed Biden’s promise not to raise taxes on those making less than $400,000 per year.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced plans to support a two-track approach, a bipartisan track and a budget reconsideration track, after a “very good” meeting with White House officials on Wednesday. The Democratic leaders told reporters they hope to have both up for a vote in the House and Senate in July.

Office of Management Budget Acting Director Shalanda Young, National Economic Council Director Brian Deese, and Domestic Policy Council Director Susan Rice all took part in the meeting with Schumer and Pelosi, according to the White House.

“They agreed that Congress must meet the President’s goal of investing in creating a generation of good paying jobs, addressing the climate crisis, and ensuring American workers and businesses can compete globally, while not raising taxes on anyone who makes under $400,000,” the White House said in a statement regarding the meeting.

“They underscored the importance of extending the child tax credit, and investing in the care economy, including expanding child care, to help ensure that women can return to the workforce. They discussed the two-track approach, and the importance of a budget resolution to meeting the full range of the President’s priorities,” the statement added.

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Earlier in the week, Portman reaffirmed Senate Republicans’ commitment to getting a bipartisan deal on an infrastructure package despite disagreements with his Left-leaning counterparts.

“I think we’re absolutely committed to it, and I think there is a number of others, as well, on both sides of the aisle,” Portman said Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press. “There is a lot of interest in having a bipartisan proposal.”