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The
U.S. Senate approved both the infrastructure legislation and the
outline of a separate plan loaded with investments in new
domestic programs. But the combined price tag of the two
measures created fissures between the progressive and moderate
wings of the Democratic Party, which controls both chambers of
Congress by narrow margins.
Nine moderate Democrats said last week that they would not
support the $3.5 trillion budget resolution until the
infrastructure bill, which cleared the Senate with bipartisan
support, becomes law. Progressive lawmakers had said the
spending plan must go first, though it likely will not be
complete until fall. Either faction could stall both packages.
Pelosi on Sunday suggested tying the two together in a letter to
House Democrats, writing that "I have requested that the Rules
Committee explore the possibility of a rule that advances both
the budget resolution and the bipartisan infrastructure
package."
The nine moderate lawmakers said in a joint statement late
Sunday in response to Pelosi's statement "our view remains
consistent. We should vote first on the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Framework without delay and then move to
immediate consideration of the budget."
The House is due to take up the budget resolution when it
returns from summer break on Aug. 23. Approving it would clear
the way for lawmakers to pass legislation that will fund top
priorities ranging from climate change to universal preschool
using a process called reconciliation that would forestall a
Republican filibuster.
Pelosi's letter said her approach "will put us on a path to
advance the infrastructure bill and the reconciliation bill."
(Reporting by Brad Heath, Susan Cornwell and David Shepardson)
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