Progressives stand firm on demands one day ahead of House infrastructure vote
Washington DC – Progressives are remaining firm in their demands as Biden meets with lawmakers to reach a deal ahead of Congress' looming infrastructure vote.
Tensions are running high in Congress one day before House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has promised a vote on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework (BIF).
Progressives in the House have long held that they would not vote for the BIF before they voted a larger, $3.5-trillion bill known as the Build Back Better Act, which they say will provide funding for much-need "human infrastructure" programs.
Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Chair Pramila Jayapal explained her members' position in a statement: "We remain fully committed to passing President Biden’s entire Build Back Better agenda and delivering the transformative change that people throughout this country urgently want, need, and deserve."
"Moving forward without the Build Back Better Act would put long-overdue investments in child care, paid leave, health care, affordable housing, pre-k, community college, climate action, and a roadmap to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS recipients, and essential workers at risk."
House progressives have also received a big word of encouragement from Senate Budget Committee Chair Bernie Sanders.
The Intercept reported that Sanders spoke with Rep. Ilhan Omar on the phone before a Tuesday CPC meeting and warned that the Senate was unlikely to pass the reconciliation bill if the BIF makes it through first.
Biden continues meetings with lawmakers
It appears enough House progressives are sticking to that red line to sink the BIF. They say they are holding firm in order to deliver on behalf of President Biden's agenda.
The $3.5-trillion bill contains many of the proposals that were crucial to Biden's 2020 presidential campaign.
Biden himself is personally invested in both bills' passage, canceling a planned trip to Chicago on Wednesday to continue in-person meetings with lawmakers on both sides of the divide, the Associated Press reported.
As usuals, Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are the sticking points. Both have refused to back a $3.5-trillion bill while declining to say how much spending they would support.
Biden has insisted that the spending will be entirely covered by raising taxes on large corporations and the wealthy.
Cover photo: IMAGO / UPI Photo