"The vote to move forward a bipartisan infrastructure deal failed, but centrists are trying to shore up the votes for next week."
"Senate Republicans blocked moving forward on a bipartisan infrastructure bill that’s still being negotiated on Wednesday. Surprisingly, members of the group insist they're unbothered.
The vote amounted to a setback to a key priority of President Joe Biden, although members of both parties expect at least one more try in the coming days. GOP centrists say they may be willing to provide the votes as early as Monday, when they think discussions will conclude over a bill expected to provide nearly $600 billion.
“We’re a no today because we’re not ready,” said Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), the lead Republican negotiator. “We’re saying we do want to take up this bill as soon as we are, and we think that’ll be Monday.”
Portman organized a letter of 11 Republican senators to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer indicating Republicans will put up the votes to beat a filibuster next week. He and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), the lead negotiator, also released a sunny statement in the aftermath of the failed vote pledging that a group of 12 Democrats and 10 Republicans are “optimistic that we will finalize, and be prepared to advance, this historic bipartisan proposal.”"
Burgess Everett and Marianne Levine report for Politico July 21, 2021.
SEE ALSO:
"G.O.P. Blocks Infrastructure Debate in Senate, Raising Doubts About a Deal" (New York Times)
"Infrastructure Bill Fails First Vote; Senate To Try Again" (AP)
"DeFazio Warns He's No Rubber Stamp For Senate Infrastructure Bill" (The Hill)
"Water Sector White-Knuckled As Infrastructure Debate Drags" (E&E News)
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