Sinema-Backed Infrastructure Bill Clears Procedural Hurdle In U.S. House

By Matthew Casey
Published: Wednesday, July 28, 2021 - 7:43pm

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A bipartisan infrastructure deal cleared a procedural hurdle in the U.S. Senate late Wednesday.

But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said Congress’s lower chamber won’t consider the bill backed by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema until the Senate passes a more expensive package.

The vote on the bipartisan deal also supported by the White House came after Sinema’s office declared the negotiations she led with an Ohio Republican a success.

Kyrsten Sinema
sinema.senate.gov
Kyrsten Sinema

Arizona’s senior senator released a statement earlier on Wednesday saying she told President Joe Biden she does not support the projected $3.5 trillion cost for a separate proposal that Democrats hope to pass via reconciliation.

The parliamentary process makes legislation immune from filibusters and Senate rules requiring 60 votes.

Dozens of people were arrested this week at Sinema’s Phoenix office while demanding she withdraw support for the filibuster.