Bipartisan group of United States senators have agreed on a framework for a proposed massive infrastructure spending plan without major tax increases.
Gatekeepers News reports that on Thursday the group of five Republicans and five Democrats said they were discussing their approach with their colleagues and the Biden White House, and were optimistic about getting broad support.
The group, led by Democrat Kyrsten Sinema and Republican Rob Portman, said.“Our group … has worked in good faith and reached a bipartisan agreement on a realistic, compromise framework to modernize our nation’s infrastructure and energy technologies,” the group led by Democrat Kyrsten Sinema and Republican Rob Portman said.
“This investment would be fully paid for and not include tax increases,” according to them.
There was however no further details of the agreement.
Reuters quoted its close source as saying the deal would cost about $974 billion across five years and $1.2 trillion across eight years and includes $579bn in new spending.
Gatekeepers News reports that Democratic US Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer said he was open to considering the bipartisan proposal, but wanted to see it in writing – and added he might also push for a follow-up spending measure with only Democratic support.
“I was told verbally, stuff; I’ve asked for paper, I’ll look at it,” Schumer said. “But we continue to proceed on two tracks. A bipartisan track and a reconciliation track, and both are moving forward.”
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell also told the group he was open to their ideas.
But the bipartisan push came under fire from some Democrats who have criticised a Republican approach that narrows the focus to physical infrastructure and rules out tax increases for corporations and the wealthy.
