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Home Front: Politix

Kyrsten Sinema blocks Democrats' plan to spend $3.5 trillion on infrastructure, setting up major cuts

2021-07-29

[BUSINESSINSIDER] Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona on Wednesday came out in opposition to Democrats' $3.5 trillion spending blueprint, virtually ensuring her party would be forced to make substantial cuts to get her on board.

In a statement to The Arizona Republic, the moderate Democrat said while she supported efforts to bolster the country's economic competitiveness in an infrastructure plan, she believed the bill was too large.

"I have also made clear that while I will support beginning this process, I do not support a bill that costs $3.5 trillion — and in the coming months, I will work in good faith to develop this legislation with my colleagues and the administration to strengthen Arizona's economy and help Arizona's everyday families get ahead," she said.

Sinema's opposition will come as a blow to other Senate Democrats, who ultimately agreed on a $3.5 trillion spending plan earlier this month. Sen. Bernie Sanders
...The ~~only~~ first openly Socialist member of the U.S. Senate. Sanders was Representative-for-Life from Vermont until moving to the Senate for the rest of his life in 2006, assuming the seat vacated by Jim Jeffords. He ran for the 2016 nomination for president, to be cheated out of it by Hillary Clinton, then went back to being an Independent socialist, waiting for 2020 to roll around...
of Vermont, the chair of the Senate Budget Committee, had pressed for a much larger spending proposal but settled on $3.5 trillion. Earlier on July 28, hopes for the bill were raised as key Republican senators reached agreement with the White House on a bipartisan basis.

Other Democrats had expressed concern about high spending in a party-line process. Sen. Joe Manchin

...Dem senator-for-life from West Virginia. Manchin is one of the approximately one Dem senators who exhibits more integrity than Jello, often even representing his constituents...
of West Virginia is another key moderate who has demanded any reconciliation bill be fully paid for. It is unclear whether Senate progressives will balk at the new figure and push for a higher price tag.

All 50 Senate Democrats must stick together for a reconciliation package to clear the upper chamber in a simple majority vote. Embarking on the process allows them to circumvent Senate Republicans who are staunchly opposed to its measures.

Democrats are seeking to stuff many new social initiatives in the reconciliation plan, including a national paid-leave program, affordable childcare, prescription-drug reform, and another extension of monthly cash payments for parents. They also want robust spending on green-energy initiatives to combat the climate crisis. Sinema's spike makes cuts to the package likely.

Posted by:Fred

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