September 28, 2021 | Cole Karr

NSDC is monitoring the progression of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which appears to be losing momentum in the U.S. House of Representatives.

At issue is an intra-party disagreement between progressive and moderate House Democrats over the trajectory of both the $3.5 trillion reconciliation package containing the Build Back Better plan– including policies such as universal preschool, two-years paid community college, and efforts to combat climate change – and $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package. Progressive Democrats are beginning to line up in opposition to pass the bipartisan “hard” infrastructure package at the risk of the American Families Plan either stalling as well or falling short of their demands, as moderate Democrats voice concerns over the price tag and all Republicans remain united in opposition.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., brokered a deal between the two factions in mid-August, securing moderate House Democrats’ votes to pass a budget resolution, which sets the stage for the $3.5 reconciliation bill, on the condition of a September 27 vote on the bipartisan infrastructure legislation.

The House missed the September 27 date; however, but Pelosi is set to move the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by Thursday, September 30 - subject to change pending further developments.

These ongoing negotiations are unfolding as Congress stands on the precipice of a potential federal government shutdown if the Senate is unable to pass – and President Biden sign into law – a resolution continuing Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations after the Thursday, September 30, deadline, which is the end of the federal fiscal year. The resolution to continue funding the government past Thursday and provide emergency supplemental appropriations for federal response to hurricanes and wildfires failed to pass a procedural vote on Monday, with Senate Republicans objecting to the added provision to suspend the nation’s debt limit through December 16, 2022.

Stay tuned to NSDC and member association’s member communications for additional details on this evolving issue.