Skip to content

Back to Our Blog

8.2.21 Advocacy Alert: Senate Finalizes Bipartisan Infrastructure Details

Blog Categories

Josh Veronica

August 2, 2021

On Sunday, senators released the text of their bipartisan infrastructure bill.

With the 2,700-page text released, all 50 Democratic senators and 18 Republican senators voted to take up debate on the bill, indicating strong bipartisan support for the measure.

In total, this bill spends $1.2 trillion, including $550 billion in new spending. It provides substantial funding for roads, bridges, rail, public transit, ports, airports, and broadband. The bill uses numerous revenue tools, such as re-appropriating unused COVID relief funds, to finance it without raising taxes.

The Senate is currently debating the bill and possible amendments, and Majority Leader Schumer expects a final vote in the coming days.

Congressional Democrats are proceeding with their two-track approach (further explained here). The bipartisan bill released Sunday will address physical infrastructure; Democrats are also pushing for a second “human infrastructure” package.

Because of this approach, we are still far from a final deal. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has repeatedly maintained that she will not bring the bipartisan physical infrastructure bill to a vote in the House until the Senate also passes the “human infrastructure” bill, a $3.5 trillion package of social spending that does not have the same bipartisan support.

Key Democratic senators, such as Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), have been hesitant to support the "human infrastructure" bill. Given its size, the human infrastructure bill is expected to be financed by tax increases.

The BNP will share updates as Congressional negotiations continue.

To contact your Congressional representatives about the need to pass an infrastructure package, use our one-click tool here.

Related Posts

5.19.21 COVID-19 Bulletin: NYS Releases Updated Mask Guidance for Employers

By jveronica@thepartnership.org | May 19, 2021

As we told you earlier this week, beginning today, New York State adopted CDC public health guidance for fully vaccinated New Yorkers. The new guidance gives employers the choice of adopting the new CDC guidance or maintaining mask/face covering and social distancing policies for both employees and customers.

Senate to Consider Innovation & Competition Act

By kbieniek@thepartnership.org | May 19, 2021

The U.S. Senate has begun formal consideration of the U.S. Innovation & Competition Act (S. 1260), previously known as the Endless Frontier Act. This bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, recently passed the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and a floor vote is expected by the end of May.

5.17.21 COVID-19 Bulletin: Cuomo Lifts Mask Mandate for Vaccinated New Yorkers

By jveronica@thepartnership.org | May 17, 2021

Starting this Wednesday, May 19, 2021, fully vaccinated New Yorkers no longer need to wear a mask or face covering outdoors and in most indoor settings.

UU Analysis: NYHA Will Add Costs, Eliminate Jobs

By kbieniek@thepartnership.org | May 15, 2021

Upstate United, a BNP partner organization and non-partisan, pro-taxpayer, pro-economic growth, and pro-Upstate education advocacy coalition, recently analyzed the research on the potential economic impact of the New York Health Act (NYHA).