Senate Begins Process to Pass Infrastructure Bill and Could Approve Mega Budget Next Week

The United States Senate voted on Wednesday on a large bipartisan infrastructure bill, at an estimated cost of around $550 billion in investments.

A total of 67 Senators approved the bill, while 32 opposed, in the first procedural step to debate the proposed plan by President Joe Biden.

Despite the recent bipartisan negotiations, sponsored by the Biden administration, only 17 Republican Senators voted in favor of the draft bill that aims to allocate huge investments in renovating infrastructure, utilities, and other services, creating millions of jobs for the American economy.

Nonetheless, Democrats need the support of only 10 Republicans to pass the bill.

Under the bill, spending on roads and bridges is estimated at $110 billion, with $73 billion on the electric grid, railway development will get about $66 billion, while $39 billion will be allocated to public transportation and another 25 billion for airports.

Meanwhile, expanding broadband services will see investments of $65 billion, while drinking water and environmental projects will obtain $55 billion and $50 billion, respectively.

Another plan worth about $3.5 trillion remains in place and could be discussed following the passing of the infrastructure bill, and will focus on providing social care, which will likely be passed through the reconciliation option with a simple majority in the Senate.

Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Bernie Sanders, said the Democrats could pass the budget resolution as early as next week.

The plan will tackle tax and immigration reforms, health care, and climate change.