Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are attempting to sabotage a bipartisan infrastructure package.
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© Provided by Washington Examiner Schumer set up a procedural Senate vote that took place on Wednesday, even though a bipartisan infrastructure package was (and is) not yet completed. The failed outcome was known even before the vote since all Republicans, as expected, voted against the motion to begin debating the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package. That package includes funding for actual infrastructure, including roads, bridges, broadband internet, electric vehicle charging stations, electric transit and buses, and eliminating lead service lines and pipes to allow for clean water. By setting up a pointless vote, Schumer sought to pressure the bipartisan work of 10 senators. Thankfully, the group didn’t cave to pressure, and reportedly, a bill is still in the offing.
Meanwhile, Pelosi reiterated on Thursday that the House of Representatives won’t consider the bipartisan package unless the Senate also passes the $3.5 trillion "human infrastructure" reconciliation bill. Therefore, even if a bipartisan infrastructure bill passes the Senate, Pelosi will refuse to take up a bill to help fix America’s infrastructure, which is rated as one of the worst in the developed world. To hold such legislation back is selfish and inexplicable.
Pelosi and Schumer would be wise to let the bipartisan infrastructure bill come to fruition and pass it. America needs to enact fixes to its roads, bridges, and other elements of obvious infrastructure deficiency. Playing politics is a disservice to the millions of people who need functioning roads and public transportation to get them from point A to point B. If they can do their jobs, why can't Democratic politicians do theirs?
Jackson Richman is a journalist in Washington, D.C. Follow him @jacksonrichman.
Tags: Opinion, Beltway Confidential, Blog Contributors
Original Author: Jackson Richman