On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed its $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill, the Moving Forward Act, that would sharply increase spending on roads and transit, push for deep reductions in pollution, direct billions to water projects, affordable housing, broadband and schools, and upgrade hospitals and U.S. Postal Service trucks. The bill passed largely along party lines after days of debate and amendments, with three Republicans voting “yes” and two Democrats casting “no” votes, ultimately passing with a 233-188 vote. House Republicans have held unwaveringly on the partisan process, noting that their views were virtually ignored as the measure was crafted. House Democrats said they did not try to garner Republican involvement in developing the bill because they were convinced that Republicans would not go along with the emissions reductions measures they wanted, which are sprinkled throughout the bill. The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate where, in its current form, it is not likely to receive much attention amongst ruling Republicans. However, the core of the bill, the transportation-specific functions, will most likely survive. Though the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously approved its version of the “Highway Bill” (S. 2302) nearly a year ago, the other three committees with partial jurisdiction in the chamber — Banking, Finance and Commerce — have yet to even produce a draft.
