As predicted during the recently completed spring conference in Washington, D.C. the negotiations between the Biden White House and a small group of GOP Senators lead by Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) to find a compromise around the infrastructure initiative have come to an end. In there place a more complicated and longer process has already begun with a group of 10 Senators (evenly divided between the two parties) busily at work trying to come-up with a strictly “Congressional” compromise that the Senators tentatively announced late Thursday, June 10th. This new proposal will need further vetting and buy-in from both the White House and the expanded members in the Senate caucuses of both parties. However, the bipartisan group of 10 and the White House still appear to have profound differences over what constitutes infrastructure and how much money should be allotted to it – making it a long road ahead.
Moreover, as first pointed-out to our members during the spring conference sessions the path for any infrastructure bill must now pass through the hazardous and prolonged budget/appropriations process that will require a number of steps and firm support along the way to survive.
