Bipartisan infrastructure deal clears key Senate vote

The Senate on Wednesday cleared the first procedural hurdle toward enacting an expansive proposal to build and repair the nation’s roads, bridges and broadband internet networks. But significant challenges remain.

The Senate voted 67 to 32 to open formal debate on the bipartisan infrastructure proposal. The procedural motion, which needed 60 votes, had support from 17 Republicans as well as 48 Democrats and the two independents who caucus with them.

After weeks of negotiation, the vote is a decisive victory for the first portion of President Biden’s $4.1-trillion “Build Back Better” infrastructure proposal.

According to the White House, the proposal would amount to the largest-ever federal investment in public transit, the largest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak and the largest bridge investment since the interstate highway system was constructed.

Despite wide bipartisan support for improving the nation’s infrastructure, the bill, which is not yet completely written, will face further tests in the coming days as it goes through the Senate, and again when it moves to the House.

A separate, follow-on infrastructure bill that Democrats plan to push through without GOP support is likely to be even more difficult.

And Wednesday’s successful vote to open debate on the bipartisan plan does not guarantee that it will pass.

In addition to the risk of losing support from Republicans who voted yes on Wednesday, a few Democrats have committed only to starting the process, saying they want to review the whole bill before agreeing to support final passage.

Sen. Mark R. Warner of Virginia, a lead Democratic negotiator, acknowledged the measure would not get every Democratic vote.