Senate infrastructure package stalled over spending concerns ( Good )

WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 06: The early morning sun strikes the U.S. Capitol. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The bipartisan infrastructure deal passed a procedural vote before stalled negotiations caused the bill to halt in its tracks. In a premature victory, the $1.2 trillion infrastructure deal moved forward in a 67 to 27 vote by the Senate on Saturday.

The deal, which includes nearly $550 billion in new spending, would go towards major infrastructure such as roads, bridges, airports and waterways, among other items. The debate on the floor included a hot topic with several Republicans regarding the bill’s funding.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) voiced similar frustrations after she spoke with people in her state. “They look at what is happening here in Washington, and they are saying why are you in such a rush to force us into bankruptcy,” relayed Blackburn.

.@MarshaBlackburn: "It's become this bill of 'here is a little bit for infrastructure, but oh by the way over here, here is this great big down payment on the Green New Deal'." pic.twitter.com/s9NBX5TGQK

— The Hill (@thehill) August 7, 2021

Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) said he’s also concerned that rushing the bipartisan deal has ulterior motives. “It’s tied to what I believe is the Democrat’s real ambition: Which is their multi-trillion-dollar march to socialism that they will unveil right after this infrastructure legislation is passed,” suggested Hagerty.

The legislation Hagerty referred to, the $3.5 trillion partisan spending package, would allegedly fill in the gaps of items Democrats say are not included in the bipartisan infrastructure bill. However, lawmakers were working to come to an agreement on amendments to the bill when progress was ultimately stalled.

The Senate is set to reconvene Sunday at 12 p.m. EST to further consider the proponents of the bill.