UPDATE, 9:41 p.m.: Biden has issued a statement:
“I am urging all members to vote for both the rule for consideration of the Build Back Better Act and final passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill tonight,” President Biden said in a statement. “I am confident that during the week of November 15, the House will pass the Build Back Better Act.”
UPDATE, 9:15 p.m.:
“The President is in the residence with his policy and legislative teams making calls and staying in close touch with leadership and members.” – a senior WH aide says
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) November 6, 2021
UPDATE, 8:35 p.m.: You can watch it live…if you dare.
WATCH LIVE: Debate continues on the House floor regarding Build Back Better and the Infrastructure bill: https://t.co/bV53qzQXMr
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) November 6, 2021
Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) are pushing for the House to vote on the infrastructure bill, but they have backed down on their plans to vote on the reconciliation bill after moderate Democrats have requested that the Congressional Budget Office weigh in on the economic impact of the spending legislation, a move which could take several weeks.
Fox News reports that Biden is working Democrats in Congress to vote tonight to pass the bipartisan infrastructure plan:
“The President is speaking with House leadership, progressives, and moderates in an effort to come to a solution. And he has been urging a vote tonight,” a White House official told Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich.
Henrich also noted that the president has cancelled his weekend plans.
POTUS is no longer travelling to Rehoboth this evening
Still no lid at the White House
Translation: vote expected
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) November 5, 2021
House leaders had planned to vote on the reconciliation bill tonight as well, but moderate Democrats scuttled those plans, dealing another blow to the leadership’s ambitious plans to pass both bills.
Earlier this evening a group of progressive lawmakers vowed to vote no on the infrastructure bill, which may even jeopardize getting anything done at all.
Progressive source tells me they have roughly 20 members who will vote down BIF –
Pelosi may put this on the floor to put CPC backs against the wall, betting they won’t tank Biden’s agenda – especially if more than expected 10-15 R’e vote FOR it, since bills are now unlinked
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) November 5, 2021
Stay tuned for any further developments.
