The Biden Presidency is underway.

[Strollen]

@Strollen

I don’t think is easier to get 10 Republican to vote for the bill than two Democrats. I do think is easier to get 20 or 30 Republicans than those to two Democrats. The Republicans just need to be able to go home and brag about all the wonderful projects they brought home to their states, fixing roads, airports, ports, and bring broadband and a better electric grid to the neglected rural regions. They also can brag about how they save $1 trillion of wasteful spending, which $30,000 of debt/person while keeping American business competitive (i.e a corporate tax rate of 25% instead of 28%). I.e. something in the 1-1.5. trillion range aka a true compromise.

I think most Republicans, think is both good politics and good for their region and country to spend on infrastructure. It is also very possible they will refuse to raise taxes to this, in which case they’ve pissed of Manchin, who is actually is a bit of a deficit hawk.

I’ll wait until Joe signs the infrastructure bill before I make a “I told you so post”. But right now my prediction of 20 Republican votes seems pretty good, compared to all you skeptics of anything bipartisan being passed.

[SlainteMhath]

This seems likely to pass once the final up/down vote is scheduled. There are GOP Senators out there already priming the pump with statements about how “President Trump got the ball rolling on this bipartisan bill with all his efforts on Infrastructure during his Administration” because they know voting against money and jobs flowing into their home states will be extremely unpopular with their constituents but at the same time they can’t stop licking Trump’s balls either, so they need to put a positive spin on a YES vote.

Of course McConnell and the GOP could always pull yet another Lucy and the football move, and/or Manchin or Sinema could do another flouncy thumbs down power flex on a super-tight vote…but honestly even they all know this needs to happen. Republicans know that killing this bill will be extremely unpopular with the masses, and they know that passing a $1 trillion “bipartisan” bill now gives them leverage to call out the $3.2 trillion bill Democrats hope to pass through reconciliation as a “Socialist Nightmare” and “Partisan Power Grab” that they can ride all the way through the 2022 mid-terms to rile up their base.

It is not an ideal situation for the Republicans, but the alternative is to kill the bill, face severe backlash in the press and at home, then watch as Democrats get everything they wanted through reconciliation anyway since Manchin and Sinema will almost certainly vote with the party in that situation if only to keep their seats.

[Timex]

@SlainteMhath

“President Trump got the ball rolling on this bipartisan bill with all his efforts on Infrastructure during his Administration”

There are no words.

[SadleyBradley]

I mean, we had roughly 208 Infrastructure Weeks, right? If that’s not getting the ball rolling, I don’t know what is.

[RichVR]

I believe that the number is much higher. But considering all things, I cannot prove that.

[triggercut]

Jack Turman III

[Thrag]

They are doing a full roll call.

Almost done.

Reading the yeas.

Wait, I was wrong. More people are voting.

[triggercut]

From the first 10 names, this will pass.

(And it’s not close.)

Tillis and Grassley are both ayes. This will get more than 60 votes in the Senate. Still waiting on some latecomer votes.

Current role call: 47-17. Got a ways to go to get everyone in DC’s votes logged.

[Thrag]

Cspan showing numbers after the list reads.

48 yes 18 no at the moment.

[triggercut]

IT’S REALLY INFRASTRUCTURE WEEK!!!

[Thrag]

51!

It’s official!

IT’S INFRASTRUCTURE WEEK!!!

Warren getting the honor of being 51.

[Menzo]

Well I admit I was skeptical that even such a pitiful bill would pass. Color me pleasantly surprised! Now let’s get the real bill passed under reconciliation.

[triggercut]

50 I think was Tim Kaine. That’s the biggie.

[Thrag]

Turtle yea, Rubio nay. Cruz nay as well.

Half the GOP has voted nay, 13 yea. This will be a good measure of the depth of the rot.

[triggercut]

Yeah, two notable 2024 aspirants – Sasse and Rubio – were nays.

Carving out that early territory and taking a gamble that the bill will be unpopular…or that they can make it unpopular.

[triggercut]

@Thrag

Half the GOP has voted nay, 13 yea. This will be a good measure of the depth of the rot.

Gotta be more Yeas than that. Bill is at 66 yeas, and there are only 50 Democrats.

Sinema is an aye.

[triggercut]

Tim Scott joining Rubio and Sasse in staking out that 2024 presidential primary no vote sweepstakes.

[Thrag]

Who is left?

Vote already!

[RichVR]

Really.

[triggercut]

Waiting on one. Probably checking with Schumer or McConnell depending on who it is to find out if that person is expected to vote.