On Tuesday, President Biden called off talks with lead Senate GOP infrastructure negotiator Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia) after multiple rounds of negotiations left the pair about $700 billion apart in proposed spending. However, the White House quickly shifted its attention to negotiations with a bipartisan group of 20 senators (also known as the “G20”) that are attempting to broker a deal on infrastructure. This effort is being spearheaded by Senators Kyrsten Sinema (D-Arizona), Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia), Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio). The G20 has been closing in on a $900 billion infrastructure framework, but has yet to announce any details or agreement. A major sticking point in this round remains with Republican’s unwillingness to raise taxes in any form, something both parties acknowledge will be a major hurdle in any final agreement. This round of negotiations is expected to last around a week according to multiple Senators involved.
Separately, while offering his support for this new round of bipartisan negotiations, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) stated his intent to begin the reconciliation process. “We're pursuing a two-path proposal. We all know as a Caucus we will not be able to do all the things the country needs in a bipartisan way and so at the same time we are pursuing... reconciliation. We will just pursue two paths and at some point they will join.” Additionally, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) expressed his intent to have his committee begin the reconciliation process by July.
