Senators finalize $1t infrastructure package

WASHINGTON－Senators finalized details of a sweeping $1 trillion plan to invest in roads, bridges, ports, high-speed internet and other infrastructure in the United States on Sunday, with some predicting the chamber would pass the bipartisan legislation this week.

The massive package, a goal that has eluded the US Congress for years, is a top legislative priority for President Joe Biden and would represent the largest investment in US infrastructure in decades.

In a tweet on Sunday, Biden called it "the most important investment in public transit in American history".

Senators said the 2,702-page bill included $550 billion in new spending over five years for infrastructure such as roads, rail, electric vehicle charging stations and lead water pipe replacements on top of $450 billion in previously approved funds.

"I believe we can quickly process relevant amendments and pass this bill in days," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said of the legislation after it was announced by the bipartisan group.

"This is a really important bill because it takes our big, aging and outdated infrastructure in this country and modernizes it. That's good for everybody," said Senator Rob Portman, the lead Republican negotiator.

"This is big," said Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia on the long-term economic benefits of infrastructure investment. "This will keep us going for five to 10 years and we can continue to build on it."

However, the bill also drew criticism from some Republicans who believe it costs too much.

"I've got real concerns with this bill," said Republican Senator Mike Lee in a floor speech. "All is not well with the way we spend money."

It is not yet clear whether senators outside the bipartisan group that negotiated the bill will offer amendments that could pass and possibly upset the delicate coalition that was cobbled together.

If the bill passes the Senate, it must be considered in the House of Representatives, where some Democrats have blasted it as too small and the Democratic leadership has paired it with a $3.5 trillion "human infrastructure" bill to pour money into education, child care, climate change and other priorities.

Up in the air

Democrats want to offset the social spending with tax hikes on corporations and wealthy people earning more than $400,000 a year－measures that Republicans oppose, leaving the fate of both bills up in the air.

Individual senators' review of the final text, including detailed provisions to pay for it, will determine whether a sizable bipartisan majority in the closely divided Senate can hold up.

Senators have so far supported a shell version of the legislation in procedural votes, including a 66-28 margin on Friday that included 16 Republicans.

White House economic adviser Brian Deese talked up the bill before its final provisions revealed it as "badly needed investments in our economy" that could help ease supply bottlenecks that were contributing to inflation.

Agencies via Xinhua