Topline
After weeks of negotiations, the bipartisan group of lawmakers working to push through a compromise infrastructure bill said Sunday that lawmakers must consider tax hikes to pay for the bill, even though some progressives and the White House have opposed a suggested gas tax increase to finance the $1 trillion plan, setting up another potential stalemate for one of President Biden's highest priorities.
Key Facts
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday that while the contents of the deal—announced by a bipartisan group of 21 senators earlier this month—appear “mostly good,” he would not support a federal gas tax increase, a user fee for electric vehicles or privatizing infrastructure.
“Those are proposals that I would not support,” said the progressive lawmaker, who has refused to commit to supporting or opposing the plan due to these concerns, prompting calls for compromise from those leading negotiations over the bill.
Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), a leader of the Senate group shepherding the plan, suggested the gas tax proposal has not yet been nixed from negotiations during a separate interview on “Meet the Press.”
“I think there’s some discussion left on those topics,” the Ohio Republican said, adding that the Biden administration will need to come up with “some other ideas” for financing the plan that don’t entail raising taxes if it is against the current proposals.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), a member of the House Problem Solvers Caucus, which is working with senators on the bill, told CNN’s “State of the Union” that “everything” should be on the table in terms of financing and stressed that lawmakers have come up with a long list of ideas.
The differing expectations by Sanders, the White House, and the Problem Solvers Caucus threaten the future of the bill at a time when Democrats are also weighing the option of passing a substantially larger infrastructure package without Republican support through the budget reconciliation process.
Crucial Quote
“Should everything be on the table? Of course it will be because that’s part of compromise,” Fitzpatrick said. “Nobody will be totally in love with the plan but everybody will be OK with it.”
Key Background
The group of 21 senators outlined their proposal for the $1.3 trillion infrastructure plan after discussions between President Joe Biden and a Senate GOP group led by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito broke down without an agreement earlier this month. This new package revolves around a more literal definition of infrastructure than what the White House originally proposed and puts forward a broad framework for investing in roads, bridges and other projects. However, negotiators are struggling to walk the line of appealing to both parties, drawing growing opposition from liberals who say the proposal does not go far enough. They need the entire Democratic caucus on board and at least 10 Republicans to pass the legislation. In addition to Sanders, two Democrats—Sens. Ed Markey (Mass.) and Jeff Merkley (Ore.)—have suggested they will oppose the proposal for its lack of focus on climate change.
What To Watch For
Democrats have also started laying the groundwork for a more sweeping infrastructure investment plan that would involve expanding Medicare eligibility and providing legal status for certain immigrants. This proposal is expected to come out to $6 trillion.
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Infrastructure Negotiators Not Yet Nixing Gas Tax Proposal Amid Criticism, Say ‘Everything’ Must Stay On Table - Forbes
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