Kyrsten Sinema to attend White House infrastructure bill signing

Senator Kyrsten Silema, one the two moderate Democrats who have raised concerns over the price of President Biden’s presidency Building a Better ActOn Monday, he will be at White House for the signing Infrastructure billCBS News confirmed that her spokesperson was a spokesman.

President Biden is expected to sign Monday’s $1.25 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. The Senate passed the bill over the summerThe House earlier in the month. Sinema was a key negotiator for the Senate bipartisan infrastructure group.

The bill includes $550billion in new spending for the nation’s infrastructure. Mr. Biden praised it as the largest inroads, bridges and ports investments in road, rail, water, and rail in decades. The measure includes $110 billion for roads and bridges and major projects; $39 billion for public transportation and $66 million for railways. It also provides $65 Billion to expand broadband infrastructure and $55 Billion for clear water investments.  

Nineteen Republican senators voted for the bill, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. McConnell, however, said he would not attend the signing. 

In the House, 13 Republicans crossed the aisle and voted for the bill on November 6, but it lost the support of six progressive Democrats, who wanted a vote on Mr. Biden’s $1.75 trillion social spending plan — known as Build Back Better — at the same time. In that same early morning session — which came after a day of high-stakes negotiations among Democrats —  the House did clear a key procedural vote on the social spending plan that will allow for a vote on it later this month.

Moderates in Congress opposed voting on Build Back better until the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office had weighed-in on the bill’s financial impacts. 

The CBO will announce its findings Monday. Due to budget reconciliation rules, the CBO score must be provided before any Senate vote.

Build Back Better is being sent through the Senate via the reconciliation process, meaning it can pass with only 50 votes — but Democrats cannot afford to lose a single vote since no Republicans are expected to support it. Senator Joe Manchin, along Sinema, was one of the most vocal Democratic critics of this plan. Last week, he indicated that more details are neededInformation about the bill’s impact on the economy.

During negotiations over Build Back better, Sinema and Manchin demanded significant cuts to the bill, particularly in regard to climate and prescription drug prices. Progressives in Congress repeatedly demanded assurances from Sinema or Manchin that they would support the bill. However, the pair have so far refused. Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader, stated earlier this month that Sinema backed the dealOne of her main disagreements was the need to lower prescription drug prices. 

Kristin Watson and Kathryn Watson were also contributors to this report.