Negotiations to Continue on Bipartisan Infrastructure; VMA Sends Support for Action

A cloture vote to advance the $579 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework (BIF) failed in the Senate yesterday after Republicans unsuccessfully urged Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to delay the vote in order to allow Senators to finalize the details of the proposal. Sixty votes were required to take up the measure but just 49 Senators agreed to move forward.

The package is targeted towards traditional infrastructure such as roads, bridges, airports and water systems, which would affect VMA members in this market. Senator Rob Portman has signaled that the bipartisan group of Senators will continue to work over the weekend and if progress is made, another vote may occur on Monday. Joe Manchin, a leading Democrat in the group, said he felt “confident” their efforts would have the 60 votes needed by next week.

Today, VMA joined with 120+ other manufacturing trade associations to advocate for support of this bipartisan approach on hard infrastructure without raising taxes. A copy of this letter was sent to all House and Senate offices and can be found on the VMA Members-Only page. VMA urges member companies who want to take further action to use this tool to easily connect with your Member of Congress on this issue.

On a parallel track is the Senates $3.5 trillion wider ranging human infrastructure bill they plan to pass through budget reconciliation. These funds are targeted toward health care, education and Green project initiatives. One Republican dubbed the bill a “reckless tax and spending spree”. Facing a tight legislative calendar to pull off this “two track” strategy, Senator Schemer has pressured the members of the working group to finish up their negotiations soon so that they can begin to draft legislative text. Republicans have repeatedly said that they can’t support voting on a bill that has not yet been written.